8D :: Problem Solving Worksheet

Tracking Number:

Customer Number:

Response Due Date:

8-D is a quality management tool and is a vehicle for a cross-functional team to articulate thoughts and provides scientific determination to
details of problems and provide solutions. Organizations can benefit from the 8-D approach by applying it to all areas in the company. The 8-D
provides excellent guidelines allowing us to get to the root of a problem and ways to check that the solution actually works. Rather than
healing the symptom, the illness is cured, thus, the same problem is unlikely to recur.
Step
Action

0
The Planning Stage

1
Establishing
the Team

2
Problem
Definition /
Statement &
Description

3
Developing
Interim
Containment
Action

5
Identifying
Permanent
Corrective
Actions (PCA)

6
Implementing
& Validating
PCA

7
Preventing
Recurrence

The Planning Stage:

Is an Emergency Response Action Needed?

The 8-D method of problem solving is appropriate in "cause

unknown" situations and is not the right tool if concerns center
solely on decision-making or problem prevention. 8-D is
especially useful as it results in not just a problem-solving
process, but also a standard and a reporting format. Does this
problem warrant/require an 8D? If so comment why and proceed.

(If needed document actions in Action Item Table)

Establishing the Team:

Team Goals:

Establish a small group of people with the process/ product

knowledge, allocated time, authority and skill in the required
technical disciplines to solve the problem and implement
corrective actions.

Team Objectives:

Department

Skills

Name

Problem Definition

2A

4
Identifying &
Verifying
Root Cause

8
Recognizing
Team Efforts

Responsibility

Sketch / Photo of Problem

Provides the starting point for solving the problem or

nonconformance issue. Need to have correct problem
description to identify causes. Need to use terms that are
understood by all.
Part Number(s):
Customer(s):
List all of the data and documents that might help you to define
the problem more exactly?
Action Plan to collect additional information:

Prepare Process Flow Diagram for problem

use a separate sheet if needed

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8D :: Problem Solving Worksheet

Who

2B

IS

IS NOT

Who is affected by the problem?

Who is not affected by the problem?

Who first observed the problem?

Who did not find the problem?

What

To whom was the problem reported?

What type of problem is it?

What does not have the problem?

What has the problem (part id, lot #s, etc)?

What could be happening but is not?

What is happening with the process & with containment?

What could be the problem but is not?

Do we have physical evidence of the problem?

How Often

How Much/ Many

When

Where

Why

Why is this a problem (degraded performance)?

Why is it not a problem?

Is the process stable?

Where was the problem observed?

Where could the problem be located but is not?

Where does the problem occur?

Where else could the problem be located but is not?

When was the problem first noticed?

When could the problem have been noticed but was not?

When has it been noticed since?

Quantity of problem (ppm)?

How many could have the problem but dont?

How much is the problem costing in dollars, people, & time?

How big could the problem be but is not?

What is the trend (continuous, random, cyclical)?

What could the trend be but is not?

Has the problem occurred previously?

Problem Description
(based on the information gathered so far, provide a concise problem description)

2C

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8D :: Problem Solving Worksheet

Developing Interim Containment Actions
Temporary actions to contain the problem and fix until permanent correction is in place - document actions in Action Item Table

3
Identifying & Verifying Root Cause
Analyze for Root Cause of the problem. Identify and verify the Escape Point

4A

Brainstorm the possible causes of the problem

Cause and Effect Diagram

4A
How is it made?

People

Materials

Why did it get out?

People

Machine

Materials

Machine

Problem

Method

Environment

Measurement

Method

Environment

Measurement

circle the most likely contributors (a maximum of three) from each side.

4B

5 Why Analysis

Ask Why did this happen?

Ask Why did this happen?

Ask Why did this happen?

Ask Why did this happen?

Ask Why did this happen?

Action Plan
Based on the teams discussions. Begin to complete the Root Cause Action Plan to verify and validate the root causes and test the escape
point. Document this on the Action Item Table

4C

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8D :: Problem Solving Worksheet

5

Identify Permanent Corrective Actions

solutions that address and correct the root cause. Solutions determined to be the best of all the alternatives. Document and verify the
Permanent Corrective Action (PCA) in the Action Item Table

Implementing & Validating the PCA

Implement and validate to ensure that corrective action does what it is supposed to do. Detect any undesirable side effects. Document this
on the Action Item Table. Return to root cause analysis, if necessary

Preventing Recurrence
determine what improvements in systems and processes would prevent problem from recurring. Ensure that corrective action remains in place
and successful

Address Similar Systems

7A
Process / Item

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Who Responsible

When

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8D :: Problem Solving Worksheet

7B

Review the following documents / systems

Document

Completion Date

Who Responsible

Planned

Actual

Management System Manual

Manufacturing Work Instructions

Inspection Work Instructions

Process Flow Charts

Process Control Plans

Design FMEA

Process FMEA

Gages

PPAP

Engineering Change Approval

Congratulate Your Team

Use all forms of employee recognition and document as necessary

Celebrate successful conclusion of the problem solving effort

Formally disengage the team and return to normal duties

Was this problem solving exercise effective? Has it been verified with a follow-up?
Yes
No

Signature / Title / Date

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Findings

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8D :: Problem Solving Worksheet

Action Item Table
Actions
Action #

Implement & Verify Actions

Problem

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Containment / Corrective
Action

How Verified

Action

Who Responsible

Planned

Actual

Status

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