When to Use the the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving (8D)

This series of blog posts looks into more detail at the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving (8D), a popular method to tackle recurring problems. In my last post, I looked at where the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving (8D) originated, like the Ford Pinto fuel tank scandal. This post goes deeper into what the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving is actually for, when to use it, and when not.

Summary Overview of the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving

As an introduction, here are the eight disciplines of the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving (8D). These are actually nine disciplines, as the first discipline D0 was added later. I will go through these in much more detail later.

• D0: Preparation and Emergency Response Actions
• D1: Establish a Team
• D2: Describe the Problem
• D3: Develop Interim Containment Plan
• D4: Root Cause Analysis and Escape Points
• D5: Develop Permanent Solution
• D6: Implement Permanent Solution
• D7: Prevent Recurrence
• D8: Close Problem and Recognize Contributors

What Is the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving Good For?

The Eight Disciplines Problem Solving is a tool (or a sequence of tools) to identify, correct, and eliminate problems. It is most suitable for process and product improvements, and is especially strong in tackling quality problems. Different from most other problem-solving approaches I know, it puts a lot of effort into emergency responses and quick fixes to reduce or prevent harm to the customer and to buy you time for a proper fix. It also emphasizes the response to the customer more than other problem-solving methods.

Similar to other problem solving approaches like the Toyota Practical Problem Solving (PPS), it aims to find the root cause and to implement a permanent solution. It tries to get away from firefighting toward fire prevention, even though firefighting is still popular with many companies (see my blog post Heroes, Firefighting, and Corporate Culture). While the 8D has quick fixes, they are intended only as an emergency response (discipline D0: Preparation and Emergency Response Actions) or a temporary fix (discipline D3: Develop Interim Containment Plan). These are there only to buy you time to solve the problem for real.

Also unlike other problem solving techniques, there is a strong focus on working as a cross-functional, and interdisciplinary team (discipline D1: Establish a Team). While other approaches also use teams, setting up the team is usually not an explicit step. Also laudable is the last discipline D8: Close Problem and Recognize Contributors where the team members are properly recognized for their actions.

Another interesting step is D4: Root Cause Analysis and Escape Points, especially the escape points. The goal is to see where the problem should have been detected but wasn’t. By also improving these detection issues, subsequent similar problems may be noticed before the customer tells you about it in an angry phone call.

When Is the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving Used?

The 8D is best used for repeatable problems. If problems persistently repeat, studying them and analyzing them is much easier. Fixing problems that repeat is also worth the effort (compared to one-off problems that will never happen again). These are often customer complaints, or sometimes also safety or regulatory concerns.

Since the 8D has a strong focus on quick reaction and containment plans, it is best used for urgent problems where any delay compounds the size of the problem. The quick response of the 8D will help to prevent an escalation of the problem and the cost.

Since a large part of the 8D is understanding the problem and its root cause, it is best used for problems that you do not (yet) understand. A problem that is hard to define, or if there is disagreement on the solution, or even a complete lack of solution, are all signs that the problem is not (yet) understood, and an 8D could help you here. On the other hand, if you understand the problem already well, and know the solution, then there is no need to go through all the nine disciplines of the eight disciplines problem solving (Eight? Nine? Yes, there are nine disciplines but they are called eight for historic reasons).

It is also best use for problems that are painful (i.e., for serious problems). The problem causes serious cost and hurts your bottom line (enough to validate the effort of an 8D). Often, these are customer complaints. Sometimes these may also be safety or regulatory issues, or excess quality costs. Problems that are not painful (or expected to be so) should in most cases low on your list of priorities. Invest your effort where you will get the biggest benefit!

While not an explicit requirement, 8D is also good for problems that require the interaction of multiple people or functions to resolve the issue. Hence, it is good for cross-functional collaborative problem solving, albeit other problem solving approaches will also work similarly if there is a cross functional team.

The Eight Disciplines Problem Solving is often used in automotive industry. In fact, that is where it originated with Ford. But it can also be used for all types of manufacturing, healthcare, software development, the service industry, or generally any type of repeating processes that may have problems or quality issues. After all, the 8D was inspired by the MIL-STD-1520C military standard for corrective action and disposition system for nonconforming material, and hence could also be used by the military.

When Is the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving Better NOT Used?

As mentioned above, there are a few situations where the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving may NOT be the right tool. These are

• Unique, non-repeatable problems: If it will never happen again anyway, then don’t bother fixing it.
• Problems that are well understood: Just do the solution then.
• Minor problems: The pain is not worth the effort of an 8D.
• Overly vague problems: The 8D needs a starting point. If you don’t even know where to start or what to measure, then the 8D may not (yet) be the right tool.
• Overly broad problems: The 8D is good at fixing specific problems. But one 8D won’t solve all your problems. It works best for clearly defined issues.
• If management doesn’t care (and doesn’t support): If there is no support from management, then the 8D may fail. But that is true for pretty much any industry project. Still, if the managers want it but won’t support it, you will try anyway…
• Underlying Deeper Issues: If there are hidden deeper systematic issues that cause the problem, then the 8D may not help either. For example, if there is low morale among the employees and they “don’t give a sh*t,” fixing a process as part of an 8D won’t really help.
• Strategic Planning: 8D helps you to solve problems in your operations. It does not help you to do long-term strategy decisions.

Overall, the Eight Disciplines Problem Solving is a powerful tool, and many companies had good success in using it. However, it has to be used correctly, otherwise it won’t work. This also happens, but the companies are much less likely to tell you about it. I will explain you much more about the 8D in my next posts, starting with the first two disciplines D0: Preparation and Emergency Response Actions and D1: Establish a Team. Now, go out, look for problems that you can solve, and organize your industry!