The 8D report memorializes actions taken in each problem-solving project. These actions include the following:
D1 Establish the team – In each 8D nonconformity management process, a "champion" should be established – a stakeholder who is well acquainted with the problem. Then, create an 8D team with appropriate cross-functional members, representation and expertise.
D2 Describe the problem – For clarity, the 8D report relies upon the construction of an information database that answers the following questions:
- Who? To which person or group does the problem belong?
- What? Describe the problem and which object or part is concerned.
- Where? Where in-house and in-transit is the object or part of concern located? Where else is it seen?
- When? When was the problem first discovered? When in the process cycle is it seen? When else is it seen?
- How? How big? How much? How did the problem occur? What is the trend? How big is the problem? How many objects/parts are affected?
In this step, the 8D report team continues to ask why until they reach a point at which they can conclusively determine necessary actions and start a chronological action plan, including responsibilities and dates.
D3 Implement and verify interim containment actions – The 8D report describes any immediate actions taken to contain symptoms of the problem and protect internal and external stakeholders. In this step, the D8 team identifies and records any actions to take, including purging or sorting at the customer, in transit, or in-house. The team must verify that the defined action stops defects at the customer and results in customer protection and customer satisfaction. They must also validate the effectiveness of the containment action and record relevant data in the D8 report.
D4 Perform root cause analysis – The D8 team finds, defines, and verifies the root cause(s) of the problem. They explore two root-cause paths: (1) The “occur cause path” answers why the problem occurred with the part or object. (2) The “escape cause path” answers why the defect escaped to the customer. In both cases, you should use the 5Whys process. The D8 team then verifies root causes by ensuring that the problem is present when the root cause is present and absent when the root cause is absent.
D5 Select and verify corrective actions – Using the information database undertaken in step D2 (and amended as appropriate during D3 and D4), the team analyzes to determine the best corrective action. Key criteria are impact and risk. The team then verifies that the selected corrective action eliminates the root cause and does not create another problematic effect. The D8 report tracks this information.
D6 Implement permanent corrective action and standardize process – The D8 team implements the action plan. To eliminate or minimize the effects of implementation, the team employs the same process they would with an engineering change, working through a product process checklist and process sign-off. The action plan is validated using the original measurable indicator identifying the problem. In the case of an “escape cause path,” the team assesses the removal of the containment action. If there are any additional escapes, then the root causes were not correctly identified.
D7 Prevent problem recurrence – The D8 team identifies the system, practices, procedures, and specification standards that allowed the problem to occur. The actions, the results, and the team's makeup itself are reassessed and an evaluation is included in the D8 report. The D8 report standardizes the process changes and links corrective actions to the product development process, identifying actions that will prevent similar problems for the current production run and similar future products and processes.
D8 Conduct final discussion and review – The team determines appropriate recognitions and whether there is a need to continue the problem resolution cycle.
