Applying Statistics to Improve Internal Customer Satisfaction

摘要

Westinghouse Electric Corporation (WEC) is in the midst of an intense Quality Improvement Program (QIP). WHC operates the Hanford Engineering Development Laboratory (HEDL) for the Department of Energy (DOE) which is our one external ''customer''. During 1984 WHC developed a Seven Point QIP. One of these points was ''Customer Satisfaction through Excellence''. Besides recognizing the importance of the external customer, DOE, a concept of ''internal customer'' was developed. We wished to identify our internal customer, to measure and to improve his satisfaction. A pilot program of seven groups from across the laboratory activities launched the effort. All seven group managers experienced the Deming Videotapes or Seminar. An analysis of the Deming method for this application led to a 15-step plan. The plan began with identification of customer(s) and product(s) and reached steady-state with iterative improving control charts. Each group proceeded at its own pace and progress was reported monthly. The results varied. The group with a single product and several customers achieved the greatest success. They went on to use statistical process control methods. The group with a single customer and several products also achieved considerable improvement. The successes achieved by the support groups, where a wide range of products were provided to a wide range of customers, were in areas selected specifically for investigation. (ERA citation 11:053045)