Master data management

Hi,

I need some examples of how the 7 basic QC tools (Pareto, histogram, correlation, stratification, cause and effect, 5 why, scatter plot) can be used in improving Master data management process. The examples could be separate examples or an example of an improvement project.

Thanks

I’m assuming you mean master data in your ERP system?

It depends on what kind of problems you are having. Can you elaborate? This sounds like the old chestnut: “I have a bunch of data what statistical tests can I perform?” We must first understand the problem and the descriptive or analytical/diagnostic question before we can recommend a ‘tool’ to use.

Master data is typically Attribute data, (names), units of measure etc. so broadly I think only 5 Whys would apply. A Fishbone diagram as a cause and effect is a useless guessing game. 5 Why’s is not specifically called out as one of the 7. Although it is a much better tool than Fishbone diagrams for cause and effect as they actually break the cause and effect sequence by grouping all factors by the categories of the “5Ms”

You forgot check sheets in your list of the 7 QC tools.

Bev D said:

I’m assuming you mean master data in your ERP system?

It depends on what kind of problems you are having. Can you elaborate? This sounds like the old chestnut: “I have a bunch of data what statistical tests can I perform?” We must first understand the problem and the descriptive or analytical/diagnostic question before we can recommend a ‘tool’ to use.

Master data is typically Attribute data, (names), units of measure etc. so broadly I think only 5 Whys would apply. A Fishbone diagram as a cause and effect is a useless guessing game. 5 Why’s is not specifically called out as one of the 7. Although it is a much better tool than Fishbone diagrams for cause and effect as they actually break the cause and effect sequence by grouping all factors by the categories of the “5Ms”

You forgot check sheets in your list of the 7 QC tools.

Click to expand...

Hi Bev,

Yes, I am talking about master data in our ERP system. The details i have include various information about engineering data such as part name, print nr (drawing), revision nr. , release date etc. Various info about inventory parts (Product family, expected lead time, Manufacturing lead time, Purchase lead time, Part status etc). In addition, relevant information about Sales parts and Sourcing parts.

I have some people from the master data department who will join the 7-QC tools training and I want to show the application of these tools in their daily work.

So far i have below in mind

1. Prepare a Pareto plot of Document state of various documents (Obsolete, Preliminary, released)
2. Prepare a Histogram of manufacturing lead time.
3. Prepare a stratification of Lead time vs suppliers

Can you provide a specific example of the usage of 5-why in the master data or for the remaining tools?

Also, i deliberately omitted the 'check sheets' from the 7 QC tools as i think it has obsolete / irrelevant because most of the data in our site is either collected automatically or by entering in Excel etc.

Regards,

7 QC tools are intended for problem solving. Typically the types of problems encountered in Master Data are quite straightforward. Normally the 7 QC tools have nothing to add for master Data. This is alphanumeric naming data not continuous type data that would be appropriate for some of the 7 QC tools.

If you really think they will benefit from this class begin by asking them what problems they encounter.

It might be helpful to use a Pareto to quantify the types of incorrect master data. But again it depends on what type of problems they actually have.

I have used 5 why in master data when it has become corrupt, outdated and/or poorly managed.