The 8D They are a methodology that allows teams to work together to solve problems, using a structured 8-step process that helps focus on facts, not opinions. It's called 8D because it represents eight disciplines or habits that groups must put into practice if they want to successfully solve problems.
The 8 Ddisciplines are:
• Discipline 1: Build the team
Assemble a small group of people with the right mix of skills, experience, and authority to solve the problem and implement solutions. Make sure these people have the time and inclination to work toward a common goal.
• Discipline 2: Describe the problem
How can we fix something if we don't know what's wrong? The clearer the description, the greater the chances of solving it. You should be specific and quantify as much as possible. We recommend using tools such as 5W2H.
• Discipline 3: Implement a temporary solution
What kind of "Band-Aid" can you use until you know what's really causing the problem? Implement a temporary solution and monitor the impact to make sure things don't get worse. And keep working! A Band-Aid doesn't cure a heart attack...
• Discipline 4: Eliminate the root cause
There may be many suspicions about the cause of the problem, but usually only a few "culprits." The key is to discover which one(s). It's important to use statistical tools and indicators to avoid judgments and rely on the most objective data possible.
• Discipline 5: Verify corrective action
Now you know what's causing the problem. What will you do to fix it? Test to make sure the planned fixes don't have any unwanted effects. If so, are there complementary fixes that eliminate them?
• Discipline 6: Implement a permanent solution
Now you're ready. Implement the core and complementary solutions and monitor to make sure everything is working. If not, go back and test again.
• Discipline 7: Prevent the problem from recurring
If you've completed this entire process, you don't want the issue to arise again. Prevent this from happening by updating everything related to the process: specifications, training manuals, error-control procedures, communication, etc.
• Discipline 8: Celebrate success
The team is the one who achieved the result. Then it's time to celebrate: communicate the success to the rest of the organization and acknowledge their efforts. Replicate the learnings in other areas of the organization. (This helps prevent anyone from rediscovering the wheel...)
Finally, it is worth remembering some points
• The key to the 8D methodology is to focus on facts and not opinions.
• Be disciplined enough to follow the process step by step.
• Remember that the results of a good team are greater than individual possibilities.
Good luck and let me know how it went.
