JMAC Consultant Tips: How to Improve Loss #3 Improvement Approach ~QC Story and DMAIC~ Kaizen/Improvement

JMAC would like to introduce two powerful Kaizen approaches: QC Story and DMAIC. We hope this information release helps accelerate your improvement activities and boosts productivity in your workplace.

QC STORY: The Universal Problem-Solving Tool

The QC Story is the most widely used problem-solving technique. It's recognized as the standard approach for improvements, making it highly accessible and easy for teams to tackle complex challenges. While initially used for reporting improvements, it quickly proved effective for guiding the actual improvement process and spread as a core methodology.

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DMAIC: a Core Lean Six Sigma Tool

The DMAIC improvement steps--a core Lean Six Sigma tool--are increasingly adopted by many companies. While its focus and approach differ slightly from the QC Story, the fundamental goal remains the same: improving efficiency and reducing Losses.

DMAIC is the key problem-solving framework used in Six Sigma.

D: Define
M: Measure
A: Analyze
I: Improve
C: Control

This involves a series of 5 improvement steps, providing an optimal approach to problem-solving. In DMAIC, clearly defining the problem during the Define phase is especially critical.

If you have questions about making improvements, you can always contact JMAC via our inquiry form. Click here to ask JMAC!

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●Author profile

Nobuhiro Otsuka, Chief TPM Consultant

After joining the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM), Nobuhiro has been working on projects to improve productivity, reduce costs, and improve quality in the metal products, electrical and electronic parts, automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and medical products, and paper industries. Nobuhiro provides consulting support from both a Gemba (shopfloor) perspective and a management perspective. Supports many companies both domestically and overseas. Currently works on a wide range of projects including TPM, cost management/cost reduction, quality improvement, industrial engineering, factory layout planning, purchasing/procurement, etc.

Katsunori Kanegae, Chief TPM Consultant, Director of TPM Consulting Business

After working as a production engineer at an electrical manufacturer, Katsunori became a consultant. As an expert in production strategy, production methods, and equipment management, he has been supporting domestic and international manufacturing companies in productivity improvement, cost management, defect reduction, inventory reduction, and lead time improvement projects. His expertise extends to researching advanced equipment maintenance technology and working on digital transformation in equipment maintenance. He also has authored numerous articles on digital transformation.