This document introduces QwikSolver, a 5-step problem solving method derived from Lean Six Sigma. It was developed by Xerox to make problem solving tools accessible to all employees. QwikSolver includes steps to define the problem, measure the current situation, analyze causes, improve solutions, and control future outcomes. The document explains how anyone can use QwikSolver for everyday problems without formal Lean Six Sigma training. It also provides an example template and encourages using tools like histograms, Pareto charts, and brainstorming within the method.
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QUIKSOLVER
1. A fast easy-to-use tool to help anyone working within
an organization, improve their Quality Problem Solving
skills quickly and efficiently
Presented by Mark Troncone – MBA, PMP®, CBAP®, CSM®, ITIL v3®
2. Agenda
What is QwikSolver™
Where did QwikSolver™ come from
Who can use QwikSolver™
Why Use QwikSolver™
When to use QwikSolver™
How does QwikSolver™ work:
Step 1 – Define the Issue
Step 2 – Measure What Matters
Step 3 – Analyze the Causes
Step 4 – Improve the Situation
Step 5 – Control the Future
QwikSolver™ Template
QwikSolver™ Example
3. About Me
PMP® Certified – Project Management Institute
CBAP® Certified – International Institute of Business Analysts
CRM Certified SCRUM Master® – SCRUM Alliance
ITIL v3® Foundations Certified
MT Associates - Active Career Transition Mentor
MBA – Management, BS – Marketing, AS - Accounting
Work experience:
Save the Children
TransAct Technologies
Starwood Hotels
Affinion Group
Hewitt Associates
Wachovia Bank
Bayer Pharmaceuticals
Reader’s Digest
James River Corporation
4. What is QwikSolver™
QwikSolver™ is a simple, five step method that’s derived
from proven Lean Six Sigma methods.
It is designed for use across an entire organization to
help improve problem-solving quality and speed
The goal is to help everyone understand the through
process supported by basic Lean Six Sigma tools – and
know when and how to apply it to everyday decision-
making and problem-solving situations.
It can be used to reason out a problem, decipher what is
causing a problem, make a decision to resolve a
problem, show data/evidence to support a decision, or
select a course of action to correct a problem.
5. Where did QwikSolver™ come from
QwikSolver™ was developed by Xerox as part of their Lean
Six Sigma Initiative in 2005
Xerox called this evolution LSS 2.0 and one of its goals was to
provide tools that people on the frontline will use to do their job
better without having to go through the formal LSS education
and Certification process
QwikSolver™ brought the power of data-driven decision-
making to the masses, in order to help employees who are not
trained as Lean Six Sigma belts to access the tools and apply
the methodologies in day-to-day real business.
6. Where did QwikSolver™come from
QwikSolver™ was designed for use across the entire
organization to help improve problem solving quality and
speed.
Xerox believed that the use of Lean Six Sigma principles by
all employees at all levels could form the foundation of
continuous improvement throughout the organization.
QwikSolver™ has been an internal tool at Xerox since
recently, however Xerox has started to sell the training to
customers and partners worldwide – hense, how I was
indoctrinated in it at my present position.
7. Who can use QwikSolver™
Anyone in any business function or business unit
within an organization who has been trained in
QwikSolver™ - this can include:
Individuals
Groups
Project Managers or Project Team Members
Business Units
Team Leaders
Teams (Internal or Global)
Non-Project or Teams
8. Why Use QwikSolver™
It is easy to use - Anyone who is trained on QwikSolver™
can address simple problems related to their daily work
without having to wait for the Lean Six Sigma (Black or
Green) belts to be available or to start up a project.
Anyone using QwikSolver™ does not have to be formally
trained in Lean Six Sigma methodologies which can be
costly to an organization.
Anyone using QwikSolver™ does not have to take any
sort of certification test.
It is simple to learn, flexible, easy to use and apply in
everyday business situations
9. Why Use QwikSolver™
Allows organizations to provide a common method and
language for everyday problem solving.
Addresses situations that are determined not to require a
“full blown” Lean Six Sigma Project.
QwikSolver™ is a proven approach that uses facts and
data to solve problems.
Establishes more confidence and credibility to your
decisions.
Once employed and used regularly, cannot help but to
improve performance of individuals, teams, units, and
departments throughout the organization.
10. When to use QwikSolver™
When is using QwikSolver™ a good approach -
When you need to make a decision or solve a problem
When the decision or problem is of low complexity and within
the usual scope of your job/function
The resources you need (information and data) are readily
available
You have the authority to make the decision or solve this
problem or make a recommendation about it
If none of above are true -
You may opt to make this problem a Project
Go to a higher authority to help resolve
12. Step 1 – Define the Issue
DEFINE: What situation do we need to resolve?
Create your Problem Statement
The statement Must Be specific and measurable
The statement Must avoid stating solutions or assuming
root causes.
To be placed in the top portion of the QwikSolver™
Template
13. Step 1 con’t. – List the Resources
DEFINE: List the resources (information, data, people) that are
needed, and how they can be obtained.
Base this on logic, critical thinking, experience, or discussions
with colleagues.
A flow chart could help identify important information.
An Organizational Chart or Department Chart could help identify
people
A Data Dictionary, Data Documentation, Data Map showing Table
relationships.
14. Step 2 – Measure what Matters
MEASURE: What is the current situation, and what is the
impact to the business?
Consider: “Who/What/When/Where/How Much”
Quantifiable information can be displayed in such tools as:
Histograms - graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data
Pareto Chart - 80% of the output in a given situation or system is produced by 20% of the
input.
Trend Charts - useful for showing how the value of one or more items changes over time
Pie Charts - is a circular statistical graphic, which is divided into slices to illustrate numerical
proportion
Qualitative information can be displayed in:
Affinity Diagrams - (Brainstorming into Groups)
Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagrams – Shows cause-and-effect relationships
15. Step 3 – Analyze the Causes
ANALYZE: What caused this situation? How do we know?
Objective information about the current situation leads you here
Helpful tools include:
Pareto Chart - 80/20 rule
Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagrams – Shows cause-and-effect relationships
Five Why’s - is an iterative question-asking technique used to explore
the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem
and many others
ALWAYS share your logic and thinking.
16. Step 4 – Improve the Situation
IMPROVE: What is the Solution?
This should be a collaborative effort using tools such as:
Brainstorming - list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its
member(s)
Nominal Group Technique - every member of the group gives their
view of the solution, with a short explanation. Then, duplicate solutions
are eliminated from the list of all solutions, and the members proceed to
rank the solutions, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
Group Passing Technique - Each person in a circular group writes down
one idea, and then passes the piece of paper to the next person, who adds some
thoughts. This continues until everybody gets his or her original piece of paper
back. By this time, it is likely that the group will have extensively elaborated on
each idea.
17. Step 4 con’t. – Improve the Situation
IMPROVE: What is the Solution?
Team Idea Mapping Method - Each participant brainstorms
individually, then all the ideas are merged onto one large idea map.
During this consolidation phase, participants may discover a common
understanding of the issues as they share the meanings behind their
ideas. During this sharing, new ideas may arise by the association,
and they are added to the map as well. Once all the ideas are
captured, the group can prioritize and/or take action
Brainstorming and Affinity make sure many options are
considered
Solution selection tools exist, but essentially evaluate:
Which options best fix the root cause?
18. Step 5 – Control the Future
CONTROL: How do we maintain the solution and keep
it in place?
No special tools are needed here, just hard work, good
communication, and buy-in.
Posting the results of the solution, over time, can be helpful
to remind and motivate people to keep the solution in
place.
Always reconsider risk at this stage: where are we now,
relative to the initial state?
19. QwikSolver™ Template
DEFINE: What situation do we need to resolve?
Problem statement. Be specific, measurable, and avoid stating solutions or assuming root causes.
DEFINE: List the resources (information, data, people) that are needed, and how they can be obtained.
Base this on logic, critical thinking, experience, or discussions with colleagues. Perhaps a flow chart could help identify
important information.
MEASURE: What is the current situation, and what is the
impact to the business?
• Consider: “Who/What/When/Where/How Much”
• Tools such as Histograms, Paretos, and Trend Charts
make it easy to show and share quantifiable information.
• Affinity, Fishbone diagrams can help with qualitative
information.
ANALYZE: What caused this situation? How do we know?
• Objective information about the current situation leads
you here
• Helpful tools include Paretos, Fishbone Diagrams, Five
Why’s – and many others
• ALWAYS share your logic and thinking.
IMPROVE: What is the Solution?
• Brainstorming and Affinity make sure many options are
considered
• Solution selection tools exist, but essentially evaluate:
Which options best fix the root cause?
CONTROL: How do we maintain the solution?
• No special tools are needed here, just hard work, good
communication, and buy-in.
• Posting the results of the solution, over time, can be
helpful to remind and motivate people to keep the
solution in place.
• Always reconsider risk at this stage: where are we now,
relative to the initial state?