Eight Disciplines ( 8D Method) – 8 Disciplines Process, which can be translated as the Eight-Step Process of Responding to a Quality Problem. This method aims to treat defects quickly and consistently and to prevent such problems by preventing them. It boosts customer satisfaction and, despite the possible high costs at first, reduces costs in the medium term.
The eight steps of 8D Method are:
Step 1 (D1) – Formation of a working group on the decision trouble.
This is the first step in the8D process and the first part of Report 8D method. In this step, you determine the composition of Working Group 8D. Working Group8D shall be cross-functional and shall include technologist, designer, representative of the Quality Control Department and other specialists who will be involved in the localization of the problem, determining the causes of the occurrence defect, elimination, and prevention of the problem.
Step 2 (D2) – A detailed description of the defect : 8D.
This step includes a detailed description of the problem specified by the consumer. The problem should be described clearly and unambiguously. It is necessary to consider the data on the operation of the last one to two years, as well as 8D reports with the same defect (if any). in this step report 8d lists the problem information from the data Consumer. The information should contain the following items:
- Name consumer organization;
- Description claims;
- Information about the product (name, batch, date of delivery, etc.);
- When the problem was encountered for the first time;
- Where is a problem was noted;
- Assessment criticality of the defect.
Step 3 (D3) – Definition urgent measures.
This step explains the content of the problem and localizes it. Immediately after receiving information about the defect must be entered urgent measures to prevent the transfer of products into operation, in which may occur this or a similar defect. Based on initial investigation, it is necessary to determine the location of all products (parties) that could potentially be affected by the same issue and identify them. The report should include, if possible, the part numbers (batches) and the date of manufacture of potentially defective products.
Step 4 (D4) – Definition causes of this defect.
This step consists of a defect analysis and establishing the root causes of the problem. The corresponding part is also contained in the report 8D method, annexes may be added for clarification. It is necessary to give a detailed description of the cause of the defects, which allows you to understand why they happen. Then describe the root cause, indicating how it affects the mechanism of the defect. All phenomena originating from this the root causes and leading to the defect should be listed in the explanation. It is necessary to prove that the identified cause leads to established defect, for this purpose various methods are used (brain assault, affinity chart, multi-vote, Ishikawa diagram, “5-Why” analysis, method 5W+1H, bounce tree analysis (FTA), scattering (scattering) diagram, Pareto diagram, control charts, a method for analyzing the types and consequences of potential defects (FMEA)).
5 Step (D5) – Formulation and verification of corrective Action.
In this discipline, all possible corrective actions are identified, aimed at eliminating the root cause of the problem. Corrective executors the actions and schedule should be indicated in this part of the report. Also recommended, that an explanation of each corrective action regarding Root cause. Sometimes setting the best corrective actions for addressing the root cause requires preliminary assessments and studies. This is called “verification of corrective actions”. These steps are followed by being carried out in cases where the scope of work is very large, and the price of an error, expressed in money and time, too great. Verification is also possible corrective actions in practice to prove their effectiveness and exclude undesirable side effects.
6 Step(D6) – Implement corrective actions and track their impact.
Activities that have been audited and have received a positive result should be implemented. This section should the completion dates and executors of corrective actions are listed, and data showing that corrective actions do lead to eliminating the root causes. Any shortcomings in the effectiveness of corrective actions should be eliminated to improve them. In conclusion, there should be urgent events that have been cancelled.
Step 7 (D7) – Preventive actions to prevent recurrence of defects.
This step should not be confused with Fixing the cause of a specific problem. Problem prevention includes identification products or delivery kits that are equally exposed to the action problems identified by the consumer, even if they have not been identified in this situation. in the report you should specify all the warning actions and their executors and dates of implementation. An important aspect of this step is standardization and implementation of corrective actions that may affect similar products in the future. If necessary, activities should be introduced in training. At this stage, it is necessary to answer the questions: how it could arise defect, why it was not possible to prevent the defect, how the defect will be prevented in future, whether it is necessary to transfer the problem to other processes, nodes, depots.
Step 8(D8) – Performance Evaluation Group 8D.
The final step of the 8D process is to inspire the team with leadership. for a job well done. The condition for completion is that the reason problems have been clarify and prove, measures to eliminate as before them introduction. And after were tested for their effectiveness and were introduced measures to prevent the recurrence of the defect. At this point, the report should approve.