Criteria used when answering the questions below:

• Discuss and compare the major elements of lean and Six Sigma, as you answer these questions
• Describe and use the various tools of Six Sigma, as you answer these questions
• Use any other knowledge gained from this course's text readings, and experience
  • Use terms from the text
  • See attached rubric

Dawn Sharp is the owner of Sharp's Sandwich Shop. Her shop is open 24/7 and serves many different types of sandwiches, from classic breakfast sandwiches to more exotic burgers and other sandwiches usually consumed at lunch and dinner.

Recently, Dawn addressed inventory management as one of her major production issues. Dawn's goal is to give her customers quick service and a quality product. As Dawn evaluated her inventory problem that was related to the pre-made sandwich system, she discovered a parallel issue - quality. As part of her revised inventory system, all sandwiches placed in the charity bin are recorded in a waste log. This process enables Dawn to reconcile the "waste" sent to the charity bin to actual waste, i.e., items that are thrown in the trash. Previously, Ms. Sharp had assumed that a significant quantity of her overall waste (95%) were items placed in the charity bin. However, as she compared her numbers, Dawn discovered that more was going into the trash than she thought.

Questions:

1. Sharp's Sandwich Shop has two conflicting quality issues - speed and freshness. The premade sandwich system enhances speed; however, it has the potential of affecting freshness. What type of system can Ms. Sharp implement that will enable her to keep the process of premade sandwiches, yet guarantee that freshness will be unaffected? Explain how the system would work and why it can effectively enable her to accomplish both goals without any concern that one or the other must suffer.
2. Currently, Ms. Sharp is evaluating the quality of the food by the waste, meaning as the cost of waste increases she senses that the quality of the product is decreasing. Recommend to Ms. Sharp a better method to evaluate quality then just cost.
3. Ms. Sharp decides that she alone cannot implement a good quality program. Clearly, her staff must be involved. Although she has excellent employees, Dawn knows they do not understand the tools of quality. Furthermore, she understands that if things appear too complicated then she won't get their buy-in. Dawn contacts you and requests that you explain to her staff some basic quality tools that will enable them to improve quality, yet are not complex, and will not demand a lot of their time.