Applied problem solving for hi-tech manufacturing

Venue: Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Date: December 1st, 2010
Session time: 9.00am to 1.00pm. Registration and tea/coffee at 8.30am
Fee: Engineers Ireland members €250 Non-members €300.
CPD credit: 1

Course aim

This one-day course introduces participants to the breakthrough I.D.E.A.S. system for problem-solving, combining essential theory with practical classroom exercises to immediately empower learners to apply these powerful techniques. Delegates acquire the ability to establish a standardised methodology for creative problem-solving in complex hi-tech manufacturing environments with proven and identifiable returns.

Overview

In technologically complex, hi-tech manufacturing environments the approach to problem-solving needs to have a solid framework to successfully achieve continuous and positive results. With effective problem-solving, the solution must either have value, clearly solve the stated problem, or be appreciated by someone for whom the situation improves.

Using a five-step framework called the I.D.E.A.S. system, participants will learn how to clearly Identify and Investigate the root causes of problems, Design improvements and Develop an implementation plan, Execute the plan and Evaluate progress, Assess the results and Adjust if necessary, and finally Standardise the new methods and Sustain the gains made through the pyramid of control.

This programme steps through worked examples of how the I.D.E.A.S. system can be used in a manufacturing environment to solve a range of complex problems.

Learning objectives

At the end of this programme participants will have the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively manage the many problems faced in every workplace. The programme will also help engineers and teams to approach problems in a logical step-by-step manner resulting in a process of continuous improvement, or Kaizen, the universal standard to employee involvement and creativity.

Programme

This one day learning programme is highly interactive and involves:

• A pre-course questionnaire to identify critical work-based problems
• Worked examples based on problems from delegates’ work environments
• Case studies from other hi-tech manufacturing environments
• The unique I.D.E.A.S. system
• Group work, reflection and discussion
• Questions and answers with the Training Director of The WCM Centre
• A post-programme assignment to produce a proven solution using the methodologies

Participants will also learn the I.D.E.A.S.-A3 methodology in order that they can plan, manage and then visually display their project results to highlight return-on-investment to top management teams and others.

Who should attend

Engineers at all levels who work in any hi-tech manufacturing environment including micro-electronics, metallurgy, medical device manufacture, pharmaceutical and diagnostics. This programme is aimed at those whose responsibilities include manufacturing, quality control, cost control, operations, validation, project management, innovation and R&D.
 
This course is also ideal for In-Company training which can be tailored to address your firm’s particular problems.

Trainer's profile

Tony Corrigan has an outstanding track record in World Class Manufacturing (WCM) having trained in excess of 14,000 people worldwide in improvement techniques. He worked as a Manufacturing Engineering himself for 10 years with Bourns Electronics and then as a specialist consultant with Productivity Europe for six years.  Tony has been working in the area of complex problem solving for more than 15 years and is today Training Director with The WCM Centre. Tony designed the I.D.E.A.S.-system specifically for application in hi-tech manufacturing environments and currently teaches in some of the largest multi-nationals in Ireland on this breakthrough approach to continuous improvement.

Course contact

CPD Training, Engineers Ireland
T: +353 1 665 1305 / F: +353 1 665 1370
E: cpdtraining@engineersireland.ie