Instructor Profile

"Six Thinking Hats" is a way of approaching and investigating an issue, change, or process from a variety of perspectives in a clear, conflict-free way. This can be done by an individual, by team members each wearing a different hat(s), or by a group ‘wearing the same hat’ in a sequential order. Large complex issues can also be set up with six separate teams meeting with representatives from each meeting to assess all perspectives.

RoHS – Restriction of Hazardous Substances – was introduced to improve the welfare of consumers, distributors, manufacturers, and the environment. The life of a non-RoHS part does not end at the final product. Once the product has been used and is no longer needed (broken, outdated, etc.), it is usually thrown away either to a recycling center or a landfill. While workers in a recycling facility use protective equipment, a landfill is just a hole in the ground. As time goes by, water can carry trace amounts of the harmful substances and pollute the ground over time. Harmful substances (such as lead and mercury) don’t usually degrade and continue to run through the ground. Eventually, they will find themselves in places such as the ocean and underground water reserves which can further pollute wildlife and food sources.

When it comes to individual people (you) complying with RoHS, the questions you should ask are:  

• Why should a customer be exposed to a dangerous substance without their knowledge? 
• Do you have the right to make such a decision for them?

AIAG aims to achieve excellence, innovation, transparency, and performance in a sustainable manner. People and the environment are the automotive industry’s most essential resources. They strongly feel that companies should fulfill their social responsibilities and obligations to realize a healthy and harmonious development between enterprises and employees, enterprises and society, and enterprises and the environment.

As part of this, they are working together to attain the highest standards in business integrity and the social and environmental performance of the supply chain. The automotive industry supply chain has a high degree of complexity; therefore, they believe in the benefits of a common approach and message where possible.

The Automotive Sustainability Guiding Principles ("Guiding Principles") contain certain expectations towards business ethics, working conditions, human rights, health and safety, environmental leadership, and supply chain due diligence for suppliers at all tiers. They expect suppliers to uphold these standards and cascade them throughout their supply chain.

5S began as part of the Toyota Production System (TPS), the manufacturing method begun by leaders at the Toyota Motor Company in the early and mid-20th century. This system, often referred to as Lean Manufacturing in the West, aims to increase the value of products or services for customers. This is often accomplished by finding and eliminating waste from production processes. The term 5S comes from five Japanese words that each represent one part of a five-step process that can improve the overall function of a business:

• Seiri
• Seiton
• Seiso
• Seiketsu
• Shitsuke

In English these are often translated to:

• Sort
• Set in Order
• Shine
• Standardize
• Sustain

Additionally:

• Safety
• Spirit

A Roadmap for an Effective Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) System to Identify and Solve Compliance Issues in Order to Improve Business Operations Continuously. Corrective and preventive action (CAPA) refers to changes made to an organization's processes to eliminate the causes of nonconformities or other undesirable situations.

A fundamental part of every manager's role is finding ways to solve Problems. Being a confident problem solver is important to your success. If you have a good process to use when approaching a problem, you can solve problems quickly and effectively. Without one, your solutions may be ineffective, or you'll get stuck and do nothing, with sometimes painful consequences. 

There are several variants for applying corrective actions to problem-solving. Which CAPA System will work best for you?