First Presentation: Using Open-ended Survey Data to Make Data-based Decisions. Presented by Bob Grace, Partner with the Leadership Effect.
Second Presentation: Mistake-Proofing - Not Just for Manufacturing. Presented by Sam Hoskins, Mistake-Proofing.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sheraton Westport Plaza
191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146
(314) 878-1500
- 5:30 - 6:00 pm: Registration and Social
- 6:00 - 7:00 pm: First Presentation – Using Open-ended Survey Data to Make Data-based Decisions, presented by Bob Grace
- 7:00 - 8:00 pm: Dinner & Section Business
- 8:00 - 9:00 pm: Second Presentation – Mistake-Proofing - Not Just for Manufacturing, presented by Sam Hoskins
Please register by Monday, March 19, by visiting the online registration page (click here). You can prepay for membership meetings via credit card on safe and secure web environment.
Members who register and pre-pay online are entitled to a $5 discount, which brings the meeting fee down to $20.
You can also send an email to registration@asqstlouis.org, call the Engineers’ Club of St. Louis at (314) 533-9333 or send a fax to (314) 533-9336.
Map to
Sheraton Lakeside Chalet, Westport
Driving DirectionsFrom Lambert International Airport to Sheraton Lakeside Chalet
- Head toward the I-70W entry ramp and go onto I-70W - go 3.6 mi
- Take exit 232 to merge onto I-270 S toward Memphis - go 2.6 mi
- Take exit 17 for Dorsett Rd - go 0.2 mi
- Turn left at Dorsett Rd go - 0.1 mi
- Turn right at Progress Pkwy go - 0.9 mi
- Continue on Westport Plaza go - 0.1 mi
- Arrive at 191 Westport Plaza Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146
Click Here to go to the Sheraton Westport Website
May 20 Membership Meeting Highlights
First Presentation
Using Open-ended Survey Data to Make Data-based Decisions
Presented by Bob Grace, Partner with the Leadership EffectOrganizational or customer surveys are intended to capture the voice of the customer or employee. However, the data analysis often leaves the stories respondents tell out of the final report and lost to decision makers. Open-ended questions are often left unanalyzed or fed back without a supporting structure from which fact-based decisions can be drawn. As a result, the voice of the respondent is often diminished or distorted.
Some of the more common barriers to the effective use of open-ended questions are: poorly written questions, ineffective data analysis and unproductive presentation of results. When used properly, open-ended data can provide a story that enriches the quantitative results of a survey or questionnaire, while measuring up to the same rigorous methodological standards as the quantitative data.
This interactive session provides an introduction into the methodology for analyzing open-ended questionnaire data. It also covers writing good questions and sharing results from open-ended responses in ways that engage business partners and accurately represent the themes in the data.
About the Speaker
Bob is a partner with the Leadership Effect.
With over fifteen years of consulting experience, Bob brings expertise in organizational survey design and analysis, competency modeling and facilitating sessions with senior teams.
Prior to founding the Leadership Effect with Rik Nemanick, Bob held positions with several consulting organizations ranging from boutique firms to international assessment houses. Through those experiences Bob honed his skills as an Organizational Psychologist. His experience has allowed him to use his expertise in research methodology and statistical analysis to develop tools to measure organizational effectiveness through survey techniques. He has been deeply involved in the development and implementation of leadership development programs and organizational development initiatives. Additionally, Bob is a skilled facilitator who is able to gain focus and real commitment from teams of all types and at all levels.
Bob has worked with many clients from the Fortune 500 to small family businesses and he has served as an adjunct faculty member at Southern Illinois University and Saint Louis University. Bob holds a doctorate in Organizational Psychology from Saint Louis University.
Second Presentation
Mistake Proofing - Not Just for Manufacturing
Presented by Sam Hoskins, Mistake-Proofing
Mistake-Proofing is a primary Lean tool as developed by Shigeo Shingo and Toyota. They found that human error was the most prevalent cause of defects. In any aspect of any process, the essential component is people, and even highly skilled people make mistakes. These errors are the root causes that develop into larger consequences.
Mistake-Proofing seeks to prevent those basic errors from happening in the first place. Therefore, the first step to effective Mistake-Proofing is to accept that human errors do occur. This presentation will give many real examples, including heathcare, of Mistake-Proofing devices and how they were developed.
Using a simple root-cause and brainstorming process, a device or method can be easily developed which will prevent that specific error from ever happening again. This presentation is an overview of human errors, the conditions that can set us up for failure, and finally an examination of some specific tools needed to quickly develop effective Mistake-Proofing devices, permanently eliminating the possibility of that error happening again.
There is ample opportunity to use Mistake-Proofing in healthcare. An oft-quoted statistic from the Institute of Medicine says there are up to 98,000 patient deaths per year resulting from human errors.
As the Lean tools continue to migrate from manufacturing into healthcare, Mistake-Proofing will be shown to be invaluable. The primary advantage of using Mistake-Proofing is realized by keeping a narrow focus on the problem you are trying to prevent. Working in small teams, and using a reliable method, look at your latest error and brainstorm a low-cost/no-cost solution to keep it from reoccurring.
The best ideas are often simple ones. The idea is to rapidly implement lots of small M-P devices, rather than going through the process of making sweeping changes.
About the Speaker
Sam Hoskins has extensive hands-on experience in Mistake-Proofing, one of the most powerful of the Lean tools. He spent 12 years as a manufacturing quality engineer and quality manager for an international commercial explosives manufacturer. His projects included ergonomic and safety improvements to the workplace, machine reliability, various cost reductions, and, of course, Mistake-Proofing.
Sam authored the Mistake-Proofing portion of the Ensign-Bickford Company’s application for the 2002 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing, which they won. He has led dozens of successful M-P events, which resulted in large gains in safety, quality, and productivity.
He is an experienced instructor in the workplace and has also taught several aircraft technology courses at Southern Illinois University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, a Master’s in Manufacturing Systems, is a certified Incident Commander and is an ASQ-certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
About a year and a half ago, Sam started MistakeProofing.Net to provide consulting and hands-on training to manufacturing and healthcare organizations. He is closely associated with Lean Hospitals in Connecticut, where he recently conducted the first two-day Mistake-Proofing for Healthcare event at a New England hospital.
For fun, Sam is modifying his own experimental aircraft, which he built and now flies in cross-country races.
Please register by Monday, March 19, by visiting the
online registration page (
click here). You can prepay for membership meetings via credit card on safe and secure web environment.
Members who register and pre-pay online are entitled to a $5 discount, which brings the meeting fee down to $20.
You can also send an email to registration@asqstlouis.org, call the Engineers’ Club of St. Louis at (314) 533-9333 or send a fax to (314) 533-9336.
