2001-2002 Calendar

The Board of The East Central Indiana Section of
American Society for Quality (ASQ)

The ASQ 904 Section has had the following individuals or groups speak at our Section Meetings
and believe their content and presentation is worthy of recommendation to our peer Sections in ASQ.

Speaker Detail

Topic Information

"Applying Quality Assurance Principles to Software Development"

Speakers: Craig Ayers
Manager, Quality Assurance, Ontario Systems
Kim Stanley
Supervisor, Quality Control, Ontario Systems

Contact at: craig@ontario.com; or kvs@ontario.com

Many quality assurance principles are applicable to all production environments, regardless of industry. This presentation focused on how Ontario Systems applies these principles to software development.

Ontario Systems is built on a unique corporate culture, which impacts the quality assurance process. This presentation included a brief overview of Ontario Systems’ history, business niche and corporate philosophy.

Craig Ayers, Manager, manages Ontario Systems’ Quality Assurance group. This group includes systems analysts, quality control analysts and media specialists who work directly with over 100 software developers. The team is responsible for development processes and all software testing, as well as project design and documentation before it is released to the client.

Kim Stanley is a Supervisor in Ontario Systems’ Quality Control group. Her group is responsible for testing new software enhancements and ensuring the core software functionality is not compromised. Her team designs automated test scripts and works closely with software developers and technical writers on project design and documentation.

"Structured Problem Solving"
Speaker: John C. Finley
Director of Corporate Quality
Impact Forge, Inc.
Columbus, IN.

Contact at: jfinley@impactforge.com

An interactive introduction to problem solving methods using the methods used to develop TOPS (Team Oriented Problem Solving) for Ford. A discussion of the different approaches needed for acute and chronic problems. Case studies were presented, analyzed, and basic techniques for identifying root cause detailed. Common problems associated with the problem solving process were also discussed along with effective countermeasures.

John has over 25 years experience in the quality professions ranging from inspection to management. He is currently the Director of Quality for Impact Forge, Inc., the largest privately held steel forge in the U.S.A. John is an ASQ Certified Quality Manager, Quality Engineer, Reliability Engineer, Quality Auditor and Quality Technician. A Senior Member of ASQ, John has served as Chairman of Section 0904 (1991-92) and Vice-Chairman of Section 0920. John is also a Six Sigma Black Belt and a Certified Trainer in Problem Solving methods.

"Out of the Box Problem Solving"
Speaker: Bob Funk
Reliability Engineer
Caterpillar
Lafayette, IN

Contact at: funkfam@tctc.com

Tired of hearing the same thing on problem solving? This presentation is unique. Bob Funk's "Out of the Box Problem Solving" presentation includes a basic overview of problem solving methods, but also several "twists" of traditional methods, some problem solving methods we use at home frequently (but forget to use at work), ways to harness today's computer power for problem solving, some unique ideas of his own, and it ends with collecting "unique" ideas from the audience. He has provided presentations on this subject to the ASQ Chapters in Lafayette and Kokomo, IN, as well as Kenosha, WI.

Bob Funk is a Reliability Engineer with nearly 20 years of experience in Quality and Reliability. He holds a BSME from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and is an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), and Certified Quality Manager (CQM). Bob has been an active member of ASQ and the Society of Reliability Engineers (SRE) for many years where he's provided additional presentations and training on Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and other reliability improvement methods.

"Six Sigma"

Speaker: Glenn Gee
Independent Consultant
Terre Haute, IN

Contact at: Glenn.Gee@insightbb.com
812-841-6018

Glenn Gee's presentation was well paced, interesting and covered a great deal of information. He showed how many statistical methods can work together to make a good Six Sigma program. If performed with discipline by a small company, Six Sigma projects can impact the business for the user and can be used as evidence of compliance to the customer's request for Six Sigma projects.

Glenn Gee is an independent consultant specializing in the quality sciences, which include: use of quality tools, experimental design, reliability, product innovation, lean manufacturing, and ISO 9000. He is a technical researcher and contributor to the Quality Refresher Primers as published by Quality Council of Indiana. Glenn Gee is a Registered Professional Engineer, has 4 ASQ certifications (Manager, Engineer, Auditor, and Reliability), and is also a certified Product Development Professional through the Product Development and Management Association.

"Using Statistical Tools to Meet the Challenge"

Speaker: Mike Mazu
ASQ Region 9 Director, ASQ Fellow, Technical Specialist - Statistical Methods, ALCOA Corporation, Warrick Operations, Newburgh, IN

Contact at: pmazu@aol.com michael.mazu@alcoa.com
812-853-9443 (Home) 812-853-4893 (Work)

The solution to many problems in a manufacturing environment requires the collection and analysis of data. The analysis can be informal (eyeballing) or can be very formal (statistical). The formal approach provides an orderly way to collect, analyze and interpret data to satisfy the objectives of the investigations. In order to become more knowledgeable to the statistical approach many engineers and managers have taken industrial statistics, statistical process control and design of experiment courses. The most common remark made by many of these individuals is "I can do the class room examples but I have trouble applying the concepts and techniques in my work area".

In order to aid these individuals in better understanding the methodology, a case study will be presented that will illustrate how statistics can be used to improve and control a process. The purpose of this case study will not be to document the actual study but to highlight the methodology:

- to select the best process operating conditions.
- to make the process more consistent.
- to make a process in control and capable.
- to determine which variables contribute to setting the process on target

"Control Charts"

Speaker: Mike McDonald
President, MLMcDonald & Associates, Inc.

Contact at: MLMcData@aol.com

Control charts are an important and effective method to monitor and control process output. They have been an important part of quality management worldwide, since their development in 1924. However, like any method or tool, if a control chart is not used as intended, it will not return the complete result or potential benefit.

This presentation featured a control chart exercise to illustrate, using group participation, how a control chart should be used in manufacturing and service organizations. This exercise was informative, and fun, and give participants new insight for how control charts should work in application.

The pre-clinic illustrated the importance of understanding data. Several simple examples were used to promote insight into the components of variation in data, called signal and noise. This pre-clinic was a preliminary lesson for the control chart exercise of the main presentation.

Michael L. McDonald started his own company in 2000 to offer statistical training and continuing support to companies in East Central Indiana. See www.MLMcData.com for details on his next 2-Day SPC Class, or contact him for training for your company.

"Design of Experiments (DOE)"

Speakers: Michael L. McDonald,
President, MLMcDonald & Associates, Inc.
&
Rhonda Goss,
Quality Engineer, Hoffco-Comet

Contact at: MLMcData@aol.com

The pre-clinic explained the Design of Experiments (DOE) Matrix, how it works, how it was developed, and the power of its design to identify significant factor effects. The main presentation was an introductory lesson on how to plan, organize, conduct, and analyze a simple experiment. Actual data was collected, analyzed, and interpreted during the meeting. Three Design of Experiments applications from industry were reviewed. It was a fun and informative meeting.

Michael L. McDonald is a Registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Quality Engineer. His company, Michael L. McDonald & Associates, Incorporated, located in Anderson, offers quality classes and continuing statistical support. His customers primarily include, manufacturing and service organizations, individuals, and companies in East Central Indiana.

Rhonda Goss is a Quality Engineer, currently employed at Hoffco|Comet in Richmond. She has 14 years experience in the quality professions. Rhonda is an ASQ certified CQE, CQA, and CQT. Rhonda is a past Chair of Section 0904. She has also held several committee positions on the Section Board. Rhonda graduated from Indiana University and earned a certificate in Quality from Ivy Tech.

"Control Charts & Paper Clips"

Speaker: Jim Oxenrider
General Motors, Marion, IN

Contact at: Joxenrider@aol.com

As a Pre-clinic, Jim will ran an exercise to teach how to plot and interpret a control chart. After dinner, Jim revealed methods to teach others in their organization various advanced quality planning tools including: control charts, flow diagrams, FMEA, control plans, operator instructions, and MSA.

Jim discussed the situation that many people do not understand the "language" of quality. Given that, how could they understand quality concepts like variation? The exercise is targeted at factory folks and has been used with a variety of people from sixth graders to plant managers. Math skills are not necessary. Understanding is.

"KAIZEN - the Fleetwood Approach"

Speaker: Scott Patterson
Fleetwood, Decatur, IN

Contact at: scott.patterson@fleetwood.com

Fleetwood is a large and well respected manufacturer of recreational vehicles with 1999 sales of $1.73 billion. The Fleetwood name is know for quality. Customer satisfaction surveys show that 90% of Fleetwood customers would recommend Fleetwood RVs to a friend.

In 1997, Fleetwood's Chico, CA., plant had hit a manufacturing plateau. In order to grow the plant needed more space and productivity without the expense of added labor or new construction - and without sacrificing it's quality reputation. The plant's operations director discovered kaizen, the Japanese methodology for promoting continuous improvement by reducing waste.

The Plant first in-house kaizen event in July 1998 was very successful: cycle times were reduced 28%, work in progress was reduced 73%, labor Hours were reduced by 19%, floor space waste was reduced 59%. As a result, all of Fleetwood's motor-home plants, including the Decatur IN plant, began using kaizen.

"ISO9000:2000 and ISO/TS16949"

Speaker: Marty Revis

Contact at: MRevis@aol.com

Marty Revis spoke on the current state of ISO9000:2000, transition from ISO9001:1994 and the new ISO/TS16949 Technical Specification for automotive suppliers.

Mr. Revis is President of Mid American Quality Systems, a Quality Management Systems training, consulting and auditing firm located in Kokomo, IN. He is a graduate of the Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a BS in Industrial Management and earned an MBA from Ball State University. He retired from General Motors with 33 years of experience in Personnel, Labor Relations, Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality. Marty is an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor and member of Audit Division. He is also a RAB certified Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor and an AIAG certified QS9000 auditor.

"Introduction to Measurement Uncertainty"

Speaker: Dilip Shah
Principal of E = mc3 Solutions,
Wadsworth, OH

Contact at: emc3solu@aol.com

Mr. Shah discussed the concepts and terminology of Measurement Uncertainty calculations in metrology and other related applications for the pre-clinic and the main presentation.

Dilip Shah has more than 25 years of industry experience in metrology, electronics, and instrumentation, measurement and computer applications of statistics in the Quality Assurance areas. He has been employed in various positions with Phillips Electronics (UK), Kodak Ltd. (UK), Instruments Division of Monsanto Corporation, Flexsys America and Alpha Technologies. He is currently a Principal of E = mc3 Solutions, a consulting practice that provides training and other solutions in ISO9000/QS9000, ISO17025, measurement and computer applications.

"Use of Variation Tools in Sales and Operations Planning"

Speaker: Gregg St. John
Partner, EMG Consulting
Ft Wayne, Indiana

Contact at: gstjohn@emgcnslt.com
Cell: 513-703-2068, Home Office and Fax: 513-573-0064

Mr. St. John spoke on the barriers to high performance production and how many common statistical tools can be used to help production flow and customer value. An open discussion on the topic of understanding customer demand patterns helped bring together the framework of using variation analysis to drive problem solving.

"The Future of Automotive Quality Systems"

Speaker: Dave Watkins
President of Omnex, Inc.
3025 Boardwalk Drive, Suite 190
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Contact at: info@omnex.com

Dave Watkins spoke on many of the specific and common parts of the QS-9000/TS 16949 and ISO9001:2000 audit standards. His emphasis on the standards evolution to help companies and their management improve was informative and good preparation for those involved in audits in all roles.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Omnex, Inc. is an international company involved in training, consulting and QMS software development. Through Omnex offices and AQSR affiliates in Brazil, Canada, China (Shangai, Guanzhou and Taipei), Germany, India, Korea, Mexico, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela, Omnex supports manufacturing and service companies in both their global and their regional operations, with particular expertise in the automotive, semiconductor and transportation sectors. For more information, please visit http://www.omnex.com/ or contact us at info@omnex.com".

"The White Bead Company"

Speaker: Bill Wortman
Owner - Quality Council of Indiana

qci@qualitycouncil.com or 800-660-4215

The White Bead Company is a comical spoof of Dr. Deming's parable of the red beads. A fictional company producing white beads has been formed. Unfortunately, red defectives are being produced. The concept of variation is comically illustrated. Common paradigms regarding both human and system practices are exposed. The audience may be asked to plot a c-chart or brainstorm improvements to eliminate or reduce the defects.

Bill Wortman is the owner of Quality Council of Indiana - a publishing firm in Terre Haute, Indiana. He is a Senior Member of ASQ, former Chair of Section 0919, and is currently Deputy Director of Region 9. Bill has passed the ASQ Quality Auditor, Quality Engineer, Quality Manager, Quality Technician, Improvement Associate, and Reliability Engineer exams. Bill has instructed more than 9,000 individuals in quality fundamentals including certification training in the quality manager, engineering, auditing, technician, and improvement associate bodies of knowledge.

The Section adds the names in alphabetical order after agreement of the ASQ 904 Board and the speakers, themselves. Your comments and suggestions are welcome (MLMcData@aol.com). This list covers from the 2000-2001 ASQ year to the present. We encourage other sections to start a similar list. If this page helped you, please, let us know how it helped you or your section: (MLMcData@aol.com).