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Layering Your Problems In

13 March, 2016 by James Lawther 6 Comments

Creating Problems

How to cook a leg of lamb When my wife cooks a leg of lamb she asks me to cut off the last 7 inches – the shank. Cutting the last few inches off a leg of lamb is not easy.  It requires a hack saw and good deal of gusto.  By the time the […]

Filed Under: Blog, Process Improvement Tagged With: bad process, complexity, quality control, reinforcing behaviour, waste, work around

What Did You Learn at School Today?

30 April, 2013 by James Lawther 1 Comment

1970's school children

Education is important; nobody would disagree with that.  It is a sensible use of our taxes. But if we are spending all that money on education, it is also sensible to make sure it isn’t going to waste, it is sensible to make sure we are getting the best from your school system and teachers. […]

Filed Under: Blog, Process Improvement Tagged With: auditors, blame, cheating, quality control, systems thinking

Quality Control Doesn’t Work (and how to fix it)

12 January, 2013 by James Lawther 5 Comments

Here is a bold statement, “inspection doesn’t work“; (literally bold).  Yet every organisation I have ever worked for uses and pays for quality controllers.  They can’t all be wrong can they?  What makes me think I am so right? Maybe, if you read this I will convince you: The shadow illusion. Or perhaps this: Fooling […]

Filed Under: Blog, Process Improvement, Tools & Techniques Tagged With: error proofing, human nature, quality control, vigilance decrement, wasted intellect

The World’s Most Futile Job

27 October, 2011 by James Lawther 6 Comments

Do you check quality? Do you have a department of quality controllers checking your every move? Do they produce reports, data and analysis till it comes out of their ears? Do you have über checkers, checking the checkers, making sure the check is held true? Do you? Here is a request: Have a look at the last […]

Filed Under: Blog, Employee Engagement Tagged With: cost saving, quality assurance, quality control

Sexier than George Clooney and Barry White

17 April, 2011 by James Lawther Leave a Comment

A new phone I am in the market for a new phone for my home. I found a lovely one.  The Bang and Olufsen Beocom 2 When I use it I will look more sophisticated than George Clooney and sound mellower than Barry White.  Women will fall at my feet.  It is a must have […]

Filed Under: Blog, Process Improvement Tagged With: capability, cost saving, quality control, revenue generation, video, waste

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