The genesis of this post is from a LinkedIn post: Common wisdom in manufacturing often holds that replicating the systems of successful giants, like Toyota, is the path to profitability. Yet, as the original post points out, many organizations meticulously follow the playbook—implementing 5S, 5-Why, and visual management—only to fail in the market. We have […]
Introduction: Feedback Loop Beginnings The genesis of this article is a text from a longtime friend, Jason Newton, from my UNCC days. He is a musician, not a mimic like I consider myself, and an engineer of high caliber. He sent me a shirt with a saying, “I only give Negative Feedback,” along with an Op-Amp […]
Work Instruction Updates: Capturing Continuous Improvement and Tribal Knowledge By Jon M Quigley Why Work Instruction Updates Matter Work instruction updates are more than administrative chores; they are potent tools for continuous improvement and the preservation of tribal knowledge. As organizations adapt to changing customer needs, technological shifts, and workforce turnover, the need to capture, […]
Introduction Manufacturing organizations striving for excellence often rely on two powerful forces: manufacturing continuous improvement and robust documentation. Yet, connecting what truly happens on the shop floor with what gets recorded can be far more challenging than it seems. This gap between practice and documentation often leads to inefficiencies, inconsistent training, and the risk of losing […]
Introduction Success in today’s workplace depends on the intricate balance of team and individual performance. Organizations striving for innovation recognize the importance of empowering individuals while fostering effective teamwork. Drawing on the insights of legendary quality management thinker W. Edwards Deming, this post examines motivational factors, the impact of self-interest, and the most effective actions to […]
Don’t Erase the Past to Reuse a Number Introduction: Configuration Item Traceability in PLM (#1) In product lifecycle management (PLM), effective configuration item traceability is not just a best practice—it’s a critical requirement, particularly for regulated industries such as medical devices, aerospace, and rail. Drawing on the principles and works of Jon M. Quigley, a […]
Introduction In today’s competitive market, understanding the gears of product development is crucial for delivering successful products. Each element—like requirements elicitation, configuration management, and risk management—acts as a gear in a well-oiled machine. When these gears work in harmony, teams can accelerate innovation, minimize risk, and maximize the value of their products. This is not […]
What is Software Download Over the Air (DOTA)? Jon M Quigley Software download over the air (OTA) refers to the wireless delivery of software updates, patches, or new features directly to devices without the need for physical connections or manual intervention. This technology is widely used in smartphones, IoT devices, vehicles, and enterprise systems to […]
Effective Product Testing Execution and my thoughts on this. The outcome can be a disaster if we poorly execute an effective, well-defined process. Below are my thoughts on this link https://www.linkedin.com/posts/robert-fey-78178b154_mrbrokentesting-integrationblindness-testingstrategy-activity-7345338918126432256-OWgo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAJVUn4BzjTVfTnHgKx3zQWTPI5tYcYTiCM Unit tests pass. If unit testing does not represent the real world, then it means little. Unit testing should go beyond specification limits […]
My thoughts on this LinkedIn post Judging a process by its outcomes in organizations, teams, and even personal projects is common. When things go awry, the immediate instinct is often to blame the process itself. However, this overlooks a crucial distinction: a well-designed process can still yield poor results if executed improperly. Consider a […]