Gurupreet Singh Sardar

While correction is generally unavoidable, corrective actions and preventive actions are mostly optional. Describe the three terms with suitable example(s). Correction: · Definition: In general words; corrections is an action to solve, fix or eliminate the detected nonconformity or defective product/service. In organizations; correction is utilized as a first-aid as it is an instant action taken to correct the nonconformity or to reduce the impact nonconformity that has occurred. For corrections, we need a process-specific instructions. It is a reactive action. · Points to keep in mind while using Correction: o How big the problem/defect is? o How to prevent the problem/defect to get it bigger? o How to address the current situation? · Importance/Advantages: o Organization gets a quick solution of nonconform product/service and get it back to conform stage. o Cost effective. · Disadvantages: o It only deals with the current situation. o If the problem/defect is occurring again and again; it does not explain the root cause of the problem. o It is only utilized for short-term needs or immediate actions; so correction can not prevent similar future problems or defects. · When to utilize? o When the defects/problems are isolated and low risks to business and customers. o External factors or sudden environmental factors due to which the defect/problem has occurred. o Sometimes; companies don’t have much time to basically drill down and find the root cause of the defect; at that moment correction actions are taken into consideration. · Examples: o Example 1: § Problem: While delivering 100 glasses to a customer 10 glasses broke down on the way. § Correction Action: Immediately dispatch the broken 10 glasses to the customer o Example 2: § Problem: While going on a ride, suddenly your bike breaks down and you find that the spark plug is full or carbon. § Correction Action: Immediately clean the spark plug and you will back on drive. Corrective Actions: · Definition: Corrective action is taken to recognize the root cause(s) of a detected nonconformity and taking action to eliminate the root cause(s) to prevent recurrence of the nonconformity. Corrective actions requires a high-level problem-solving skills. Corrective Actions can be implemented using; Error Proofing, Visible or Audible Alarms, Process Redesign, Product Redesign, Improvements to maintenance schedules or Improvements to material handling or storage · Points to keep in while using Corrective Actions: o The similar type of defects/problems is occurring again and again. o A detailed process map is required to make sure the corrective actions are taken effective and the detected nonconformity doesn’t occur again o You need to consider multiple factors while implementing corrective actions · Importance/Advantages: o If the organization is following a monotonous process; corrective actions can help producing 100% defect free process/production/service. o Corrective Actions can help solve some of the futuristic defects/problems by prospering utilizing root cause analysis process. o Corrective Actions takes multiple factors into consideration and has a detailed and defined solution. · Disadvantages: o It is costly and needs skilled or educated employees who can help in data validation, problem-solving and finding root causes of the problem/defects. o It doesn’t deal with any sudden situations or environmental/natural changes. o It can’t be utilized if it is just one-time process/production/service. · When to utilize? o When bulk production/services are required. o When the organization is looking for long-term improvements. · Examples: o Example 1: § Problem: While delivering 100 glasses to a customer 10 glasses broke down on the way. § Correction Action: We will determine why 10 glasses broke down and try to implement that this doesn’t happen again. o Example 2: § Problem: While going on a ride, suddenly your bike breaks down and you find that the spark plug is full or carbon. § Correction Action: We will always keep an extra spark plug. Preventive Actions: · Definition: Preventive actions are steps that are taken to remove the causes of potential nonconformities or potential situations that are undesirable. Lets understand this actions are not made for any detected or already occurred nonconformity. Preventive action is like Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) or risk management; where the non-conformity or undesirable situation has not actually occurred and we need to anticipate the risks or un-desirable situation that may occur and then think of actions that shall eliminate the cause of non-conformity. · Preventive Action have to be identified protectively, against the potential non-conformities, risks, defects or non-compliances. It is a proactive process. · Points to keep in while using Preventive Actions: o Understand the risks or problems/defects which might occur due to the situations. o Sufficient data should be available to implement these actions. o Defects have not yet occurred; these are just “what if” situations. · Importance/Advantages: o Implementing these actions; organizations can have a fair idea on the upcoming consequences and be prepared if they occur. o Preventive action is a proactive process to identify opportunities for improvement rather than a simple reaction to identified problems or complaints. o Improves efficiency. · Disadvantages: o Too costly and again requires a specific team to work on the analysis. o These are just “what if” situations and based on historic and futuristic ideas or analysis. o Doesn’t deal with sudden changes or changes caused due to environmental or natural. · When to utilize? o When bulk production/services are required. o When the organization is looking for long-term improvements or trying to achieve 100% efficiency (this is practically not possible). · Examples: o Example 1: § Problem: While delivering 100 glasses to a customer 10 glasses broke down on the way. § Correction Action: As a preventive action; organization will analyze all the causes because of which the glasses can break and always theoretically try to achieve 100% accuracy. o Example 2: § Problem: While going on a ride, suddenly your bike breaks down and you find that the spark plug is full or carbon. § Correction Action: Before going for a long drive, you shall anticipate what all can go wrong or the undesirable situations. And shall identify the preventive action for all the undesirable situations or problems. Are there situations where both preventive action and corrective action are undesirable and correction is the only preferred action? Below are the situations where both preventive action and corrective action are undesirable and correction is the only preferred action: · Suppose a company has received an order to make 10 units from a client and that is also a one-time production required. If they find a defect in one of the product; they will always implement correction actions as they are cost-effective and quick. · In a visualization industry; while you are at a client meeting and suppose designing a logo for the client; none of us can predict how and what way the client will like the logo; you have to rework again and again to make sure the logo is prepared as per the client requirement. · In a recruitment industry when you are recruiting for a certain manager; you come to know what exactly he wants. But as a recruiter when you represent a candidate to the manager and he is not able to clear the interview or not up to the standards of the manager’s nice to have skills; you will have to again work on the same requirement and find a new candidate. · Similarly in all sudden/environmental/natural changes; we have to implement only correction actions.

1. They can't be used to calculate variation over any period of time 2. More than one Pareto chart would be required in majority of cases were we need to trace the cause for the errors to its source. 3. Factors outside the scope are not taken into consideration while doing Pareto Analysis