Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Process Capability Explained Through my Daughter

My daughter is a basketball player on a very good team. She plays some but not as much as she wants to. When she does not play, she will get in the car steaming mad after the game. I hear her complain about the coach and lament that she does not understand her lack of playing time.

I take a deep breath and try to have a rational conversation with her. I think she hears me but I never know. I ask her if she is doing everything she possible can do to get on the court. Is she lifting weights? Is she hustling in practice? Is she trying to be first in every wind sprint? Is her method for getting on the court as good as it will ever get? Has she worked hard enough to earn her way on to the floor?

So now she has to answer the questions. If she can't answer yes to every question, then she must go back and work harder and/or practice more. If she feels she is doing all that she can do and can't squeeze an extra percentage of effort out , then she has two options-
1. Go to the coach and demand more playing time. If she knows her best is being offered so will he and may honor her request.
2. If the coach says sorry but no more time, then her best is not good enough. Either sit on the bench, quit, or change your work ethic to draw the coach's attention.

How do you think this story applies to process capability?

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stephen,
You could easily add "Parenting" classes to your course offerings! Great post, and very thought provoking.
All the best,
Melissa

Anonymous said...

Hi Steve,

Two parts of process capability are: 1) Measure the variability of a process, and 2) Compare that variability with a proposed specification or product tolerance.
Your Daughter can measure the varibility by truthfully answering your questions. However I am not sure she can compare that variability to the spec (Coach's expectations) without your help. Does she have the skillset, desire and tools to meet spec? If you think so then be the Process Engineer and get her the tools to meet that spec.
In high school in a small Southern Indiana town, I wanted to make the varisity basketball team. I was only 6 feet tall and not the fastest gut on the court so I knew I needed an edge. I made it a practice not to go to the showers when practice was over until I had made 25 consecutive free throws. Some nights I got home very late. That accomplished two objectives: First i was the best free throw shooter on the team and secondly it showed the Coach I was determined. I made the team. I did not start but I did letter.
So if you are half the Process Engineer I think you are just by working with your Daughter to help her meet spec will be a win-win situation for her and you.