Statistical Process Control: The red bead game
- 1. Kinetik Solutions E:kvaria@kinetik.uk.com O: 0870 1997132 M: 0780 3009053 0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4 1 6 1 8 2 0 2 2 Day1 Day2 Day3 Day4 W o rker an d D ay NumberofRedBeads Averag e = 9 U C L L C L Deming’s Red Bead Game The Red Bead Game illustrates the fallacy of how arbitrary targets, rewarding ‘perceived’ meeting of goals & extrinsic motivation fail to improve an underlying process unless root causes of it capability are tackled first. The red bead game shows clearly the nature of variability, illustration of common causes and special causes. It gives an example of how to measure a process using a control chart to assist with decision making. The game creates a spirit of fun and insightful learning. It takes around 2 hours to play, with around 10 participants, and about an hour’s worth of preparation. Red Bead Kit Mahogany hand crafted ‘Paddle’ for scooping the beads. 8 page Instruction/Handouts for Running the Game. Lin-Bin for carrying the Beads 3200 Red Beads and 800 beads. All for £110+Vat plus p&p (UK Only) “…Most pernicious of all, targets are based on the illusion that the centre can drive change… The opposite is true. Improvements in…services will generally come from individuals and teams finding better ways to work” -The Economist (editorial) April 2001 DAY Willing Worker 1 2 3 First 3 4 Curt 8 10 7 25 16 , 13 Marty 10 7 11 28 Ed 10 13 7 30 Tom Debbie 9 7 4 20 9 , 4 Ken 11 10 11 32 Sid 8 9 9 26 9, 6 Total 56 56 49 57 Average 9