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Continuous Improvement From Symptoms to Solutions

This two-day, instructor-led course builds confidence and capability in addressing recurring quality and performance issues through structured, team-based problem-solving methods. Rooted in continual improvement principles, it equips professionals to identify the right problems, analyze their causes, and implement actions that drive measurable and sustainable improvement.

Participants learn how to define problems with clarity, select appropriate tools, and guide collaborative efforts that move teams from symptoms to solutions. Tools introduced include Is/Is Not Analysis, 5 Whys, Cause-and-Effect Diagrams, Affinity Diagrams, Interrelationship Digraphs, Tree Diagrams, and Prioritization Matrices. The course emphasizes how to sequence and tailor these tools to different problem types and team dynamics.

In addition to tool use, the course emphasizes the practical application of concepts. Participants explore how to align problem-solving with PDCA cycles, quality systems, and broader organizational goals. Cultural and leadership factors are addressed to help participants foster accountability, engagement, and long-term results.

Ideal for professionals across departments and functions, this course provides a practical, repeatable approach to solving problems at their root. Participants leave with facilitation strategies, customizable templates, and a personal action plan they can apply immediately to support continual improvement in their organizations.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Write clear, focused problem statements that support cross-functional continual improvement efforts and reduce time spent on trial-and-error fixes.
  • Apply structured problem-solving tools such as Is/Is Not Analysis, 5 Whys, and Cause-and-Effect Diagrams to uncover systemic contributing factors to recurring issues.
  • Facilitate team-based improvement using visual tools like Affinity Diagrams and Interrelationship Digraphs to uncover root patterns, clarify priorities, and build ownership.
  • Use data-driven verification methods to confirm causes and ensure alignment between identified problems and continual improvement goals.
  • Develop targeted, sustainable corrective actions using Tree Diagrams and Prioritization Matrices that integrate effectively into improvement plans.
  • Embed structured problem-solving practices within PDCA cycles, quality systems, and ongoing continualimprovement initiatives to drive long-term results.

Who Should Attend:

This course is designed for professionals responsible for improving quality, resolving recurring issues, and leading structured problem-solving efforts in manufacturing and operational environments. It is especially valuable for individuals who want to build confidence in using continual improvement tools with their teams and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and sustainable improvement.

Ideal participants include:

  • Quality professionals and manufacturing engineers who want to deepen their skills in structured problem solving, data verification, and corrective action planning.
  • Operations and production supervisors who lead teams and are responsible for addressing persistent performance, process, or equipment challenges.
  • Continual improvement, Lean, and Six Sigma practitioners who are looking to strengthen their facilitation skills and expand their problem-solving toolkit.
  • Engineering, design, and process leaders who play a key role in cross-functional improvement initiatives focused on quality, cost, and delivery.
  • Emerging leaders and frontline managers who want to take a more active role in driving improvement and building a culture of accountability.

Participants represent a wide range of roles but share a common goal: to improve their ability to prevent recurring problems, engage teams in structured problem-solving, and achieve measurable, lasting improvements. This course helps build a shared language for continual improvement across functions and reinforces the habits and practices that sustain improvement efforts over time.

Date
Format
ID
Fee
 
 Jun 9-12, 2026
Live Online
ID: E067
Fee: $1,495View Discounts

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.