Do you recommend using some of these tools at particular points in a project even if the team is functioning well?

I would say it’s worth it to do a minimal check-in on team performance at least once per quarter. Sometimes things seem like they’re going well, but there might be a “Silent Sam” who is not happy but doesn’t want to bring the team down. It’s important to give people an opportunity to see where they and the team could improve. Can’t hurt, right?!

Elisabeth Swan

Elisabeth is a Managing Partner at GoLeanSixSigma.com, the co-author of The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit and co-host of the Just-in-Time Cafe. For over 25 years, she's helped leading organizations like Amazon, Charles Schwab and Starwood Hotels & Resorts build problem-solving muscles with Lean Six Sigma to achieve their goals.

Elisabeth Swan

On a Fishbone Diagram, how do you select options for multi-voting?

At which step during the DMAIC process is it most important to introduce the FMEA?

Do you have any advice for times when one is just given a project and there is not much time to use the tools provided to determine whether or not it’s the right improvement project?