8 Steps to Problem Solving: Implement Continuous Improvement in Your Organization

Toyota's 8 Step Problem Solving Method is a structured, practical approach to handling any problem, from minor issues to complex roadblocks. This process follows the Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA) cycle, with steps one to five focusing on planning, step six on doing, step seven on checking, and step eight on acting. By using this method, teams can repeat problem-solving techniques in a sustainable way with minimal impact on customers. The benefits of this approach include getting to the root cause of issues, identifying and preventing weak points in processes, generating effective long-term solutions, and reducing problems over time, leading to increased profits. The 8 steps include Clarifying the Problem, Breaking Down the Problem, Setting the Target, Performing Root Cause Analysis, Developing Countermeasures, Seeing Countermeasures Through, Monitoring Results and Processes, and Standardizing Successful Processes. Templates provided by Stormboard divide each step into smaller sections and provide guidance on how to approach each one.