Data Collection and Root Cause Analysis (Coursera)

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
• Define data requirements to gather relevant data from the process using appropriate data collection methods.
• Calculate baseline process performance metrics based on the collected data.
• Analyze data for variations and use data analysis tools and techniques to identify the root causes for the problem or variation.
The course is best suited for entry-level professionals who are new to the world of Six Sigma and wish to improve their professional experience and opportunities. For this course, no prior knowledge is required, however, it is recommended that you complete the first course, Introduction to Lean Six Sigma and Project Identification Methods in the ASQ-Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Exam Prep Specialization.
This course is part of the ASQ-Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Exam Prep Specialization Specialization.

What you'll learn

• Define data requirements to gather relevant data from the process using appropriate data collection methods.
• Calculate baseline process performance metrics based on the collected data.
• Analyze data for variations and use data analysis tools and techniques to identify the root causes for the problem or variation.

Syllabus

Basic Statistics and Process Performance Measurement
This module introduces you to descriptive statistics, a branch of statistics that involves summarizing and describing the main features of a dataset. It provides tools and techniques to organize, present, and analyze data to gain insights into its central tendencies, variability, and distribution. Descriptive statistics is fundamental in data analysis and is a basis for more advanced statistical methods. You will also be introduced to inferential statistics. The module also explains the various data types and helps you differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data and data coming from internal and external sources. It describes the data collection process. Further, the module delves into the concept of measurement system analysis (MSA) and its components to understand the variations in the measurement process.

Root Cause Analysis Techniques
This module explains the differences between value-added and non-value-added activities. It makes a case for non-value-added activities that are necessary to enable the smooth running of the organization. The module also discusses how to identify the bottlenecks in a system and suggests ways to eliminate them. Lastly, the module explores the various techniques to conduct a root cause analysis (RCA) for the identified problem in your process or organization. The first one, Pareto analysis, is based on the Pareto principle, which states that approximately 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. This analysis helps prioritize potential root causes based on their relative impact. You will also learn how to use the fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa or cause and effect diagram, which visually represents the potential causes contributing to a problem while categorizing the possible causes into specific groups to facilitate the identification of root causes. Additionally, you will learn about the five whys, a simple yet powerful technique involving repeatedly asking “why” to identify the root cause of a problem. It helps to peel the layers of symptoms and surface-level causes to get to the core issue.

Hypothesis Testing and Investigating the Relationship
This module provides a comprehensive overview of hypothesis testing, an essential statistical tool used to assess the validity of claims or hypotheses about populations. You will learn about the hypothesis testing process, its application in real-world scenarios, and how to interpret the hypothesis test results to make better decisions. The module will take you through the different types of hypotheses, types of errors, and the significance of the p-value in hypothesis testing. You will also learn about the principles and applications of correlation and regression techniques. The module discusses the types of correlation and the roles of dependent and independent variables in regression analysis. lt explains the implications of R-squared values in regression analysis. The module also explains simple linear regression and the difference between deterministic and probabilistic models.

Peer-Reviewed Assignment
This is a peer-review assignment based on the concepts taught in the Data Collection and Root Cause Analysis course. In this assignment, you will apply your knowledge of hypothesis testing to a real-life scenario.