September 23, 2024
What Is The Shewhart Cycle?
You strive for success, whether for home or workplace projects. Using the Shewhart Cycle can help with that. But what is the Shewhart Cycle? This week, let's explore that question.
You'd use this process to ensure quality work on a current project and continuous improvement for future jobs. It involves a systematic process of testing various solutions, evaluating their outcomes, and implementing the proven effective ones.
This methodology suggests improvements on a small scale before expanding them to broader organizational procedures and work methods. Read on for more details.
What is the Shewhart Cycle?
You may recognize the Shewhart Cycle by other names, such as the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA cycle) and Deming cycles. This approach grounds itself in the scientific method of problem-solving. Dr. W. Edwards Deming, a leader in modern industrial quality control, developed this process.
Adopting and adapting this cycle for maintenance programs inspires improvement, efficiency, and effectiveness for those programs.
The Shewhart Cycle Methodology
Let’s delve into each step of the Shewhart cycle to comprehend its essence.
1. Plan: Before you undertake a project, make a plan. This initial phase involves information gathering and everything needed for a project or a job. Costs, materials, labor, deadline, and the goal of the project.
For maintenance departments, "project" doesn’t have to mean a long-term venture. Routine preventive maintenance also can use the Shewhart Cycle.
2. Do: In this phase, you execute the proposed changes and review the effectiveness. You set into motion the concepts, methods, and process enhancements outlined in the plan.
A maintenance supervisor might implement:
- Changes to production.
- New maintenance strategies.
- The introduction of training programs.
- Modified work practices.
3. Check: You don't do and then move on to the next job. Review the completed job. You should analyze the quality of the work, analyze the results, and evaluate the process.
The quality of work affects the results. You don't want to have to redo part of or the entire job because of shoddy workmanship.
Was the work effective? Did it meet or surpass the goal? For instance, did the repair bring the machine back to the desired baseline of operations?
The execution of the work involves the steps to complete the job. The review picks out places to improve to make the job easier or more efficient.
4. Act: After evaluation and study, take action, and the cycle starts over. This occurs even when the plan, execution, and study show the job did not reach the intended goal. You’ll re-plan, redo, and reanalyze the alternative.
This fourth step, in a sense, restarts the Shewhart cycle. You'll either continue with new jobs or, as mentioned, try the new way since the initial plan didn’t make par.
CMMS
A computerized maintenance management system works well with this cycle. First, you have a central database for the records of your assets, inventory, preventive maintenance, and work order management. CMMS software helps you organize your maintenance operations.
Let's see how this system helps with the different stages of the Shewhart Cycle
Plan – Let's say you have a special project. You can input the relevant information into the CMMS, including estimated dates and costs. Then, you can input work order charges.
Since you already have inventory records, you draw from that for what materials you'll need.
Do – Create specific work orders inputting type, priority, location, materials needed, schedule it on the CMMS calendar, assigning it to the specific technician or crew.
Check – Accept feedback and comments. Add those to the work order record for further analysis. Run informative reports regarding the completed work. Look at the costs and resources used.
Act – Use this information as a basis for future jobs and projects. Use the CMMS-generated reports to identify areas of improvement.
Conclusion
You may use the Shewhart cycle without knowing its name. If you implement the four steps you’ll be more mindful about the work. Wanting to improve motivates you to consider alternative methods and ideas. When embraced with dedication and precision, the cycle drives agility and efficiency, enabling organizations and people to thrive in dynamic and competitive landscapes.
For further study on this with case studies, visit Wall Street Mojo Read more about Walter A. Shewhart at the American Society for Quality.
For a superior CMMS, call Mapcon Technologies. 800-922-4336 Ask for a free demonstration and thirty-day evaluation. Take control of your maintenance management success with MAPCON!