Langford

Step	Key tools
1. Understand the system and select the team Use improvement tools to understand your system and select the probletunity that, if tackled, would make the biggest improvement. Consider step one as a funnelling process from unlimited probletunities to the vital areas that will make the biggest impact. This section can also include written articles, names of team members and diagrams showing the system.	Affinity Diagram Brainstorm Interrelationship Digraph NGT Matrices Multivoting

2. Define the probletunity Show the importance of the attempted improvement and indicate why energy should be spent here, instead of elsewhere in order to use resources efficiently and obtain support. Define terms in order to remove confusion.	Problem Statement Focus Groups Perception Analysis Survey Imagineering P3T Bone Diagram

3. Study the current situation Use data rather than personal opinion, to narrow the focus and to refrain from jumping to possible incorrect conclusions. Develop base line data to be used for future comparisons. Understand the current system's performance to the highest degree possible.	Check Sheet Deployment Flowchart Survey Run Chart Frequency Control Chart

4. Analyse the causes Find dominant causes rather than symptoms, of the probletunity. If necessary return to step one and begin again.	Fishbone Diagram Force Field Analysis Correlation Chart Interrelationship Digraph Pareto Chart

5. Select and develop a theory for improvement Find the best known theory for improvement and implement on a small scale as atest	Gantt Chart Deployment Flow Chart Imagineering If... Then pilot Project

6. Implement the theory for improvement Collect data as you go to determine the effectiveness of the improvement.	Check Sheet Parking Lot Run Chart

7. Study the results Determine if the inplementation thweory was effective. Did the team learn about the probletunity, as well as how to work as a team? Determine if this was a short term fix or a long term solution to the probletunity. Remember, a strategy which did not work well explains much about the system.	Perception Analysis Survey Control Chart Run Chart Plus / Delta Pareto Chart

8. Standardise the improvement Ensure that the tested improvement will have maximum effect over time. Determine how the theory will be implemented on a broad scale or some revised theory tested	Deployment Flow Chart Gantt Chart

9. Reflect and establish future plans Make long term plans for further improvements. Remember this was only one cycle of the improvement process. Greater gains could be awaiting the team in the next cycle of this improvement process.	Affinity Diagram Brainstorm Plus / Delta Interrelationship Digraph