Q: What types of common cause variation and special cause variation are evident in this case?

Q: Of Deming's "5 Deadly Diseases," please describe how each of the following diseases is important to understanding this case? 

• (3) Disease 1: Lack of constancy
• (3) Disease 2: Preoccupation with short-term profit
• (3) Disease 3: Managerial job mobility
• (3) Disease 4: Reliance on visible figures as a criteria for success

Q: How would you use Deming's PDCA model to begin to move this company towards improvement?

In my recent lecture entitled "Lean," I spent a considerable amount of time talking about Lean/The Toyota Way and The Toyota Production System.  The following questions will ask you to apply the "Lean" lecture and readings to The Case of the Quality Crusader.

Q: Examine this company through the lens of the "Toyota Way."  In your examination, please be sure to discuss this company in terms of its adherence to (1) philosophy/long-term thinking, (2) process (eliminating waste), (3) people and partners and (4) problem solving. 

Q: What are the top 3 "wastes" that are evident in this case and why?

Q: Design a process for using a Kaizen Improvement team (as specific team) to begin to solve the problems evident in this case.  Make sure to design this team and process in a thoughtful way so as to give it the best chance for success!  Your answer must be implementable in the context of this case!