The Project:

Using DMAIC along with lean principles and  quality tools, this project will work to identify and implement the most time and cost effective method of gearbox oil exchange on a multi mega-watt industrial wind turbine, whilst maintaining a high focus on safety and environmental impact.

 I will be using "Lean Six Sigma and Minitab" 3rd edition, along with the lecture notes/templates and guidance from my supervisor, to progress the project.

Define Stage:

After identifying the potential project, I assembled a team along with assistance from my manager and the other stakeholders. We had an initial kick off meeting that outlined how the project would flow and the expected input that would be required from the various stakeholders.

 Using  "Lean Six /Sigma and Minitab" as a guide. It was possible to break the define stage into sub-stages.

• Define the Business case :
• What's wrong? What do you want to achieve?
•  tools used - Problem  Statements, Goal Statements, Cost of Poor Quality
 
• Understand the customer :
• How does the problem link to the customer ? 
• tools used - Voice Of the Customer (direct contact method), Kano Analysis, Critical to Quality Tree
 



 
 
• Define the process  :
• Are you clear which process the problem relates to ?
• tools used - SIPOC process map
 

 
 
• Manage the project :
• Who?  Where? When? How?
• tools used - Project structure and plan, Stakeholder analysis, identify facilitation skills to be used to progress the project, select a cross functional team, identify communication methods for the various stakeholders, develop a gantt chart for the expected project duration.
 

 
 
• Gain Project approval :
• Does the project have buy in to proceed and succeed ?
• tools used - Project Charter  - Gain clear sponsorship from senior management.

Conclusion at define stage:
Using "Lean Six Sigma and Minitab" as a guide, a clear outline has been identified on defining all aspects and stakeholders associated with the problem. It gives a clear outline on where the process is at the moment, where we need to get to and how we are going to get there. I developed a greater appreciation on the effects and inputs required from the teams that work in the background and don't appear out at the turbine on the day of the oil exchange, i.e. commercial team, stores and logistics, environmental team.