Quick Change is an intense focused methodology, developed by Total Quality Consulting, which quickly identifies process improvement opportunities and moves rapidly towards resolution.  It supports process improvement and Six Sigma initiatives by providing an additional approach when root cause and data analysis are not prime factors in a successful effort, but speed to implement is.

It is based upon a central concept of empowered teams and process owners working under tight deadlines to produce measurable improvements.

1. Senior Management commitment to the initiative is the first step. In advance of the session they set boundaries and expectations for the Quick Change team(s), whom they select. Team size can vary from 6 – 12.
2. The team is assembled for an 8 –12 hour intense session in a 1 – 2 day window.
3. Using the Rule of Ones: the #1 Customer’s #1 Critical Success Factor (CSF) is identified (with associated tradeoffs). The process having the #1 impact on the CSF is then selected as the focus of the Quick Change initiative.
4. The team completes a Process Definition Sheet based on the COPIS model.
5. Using the Nominal Affinity-Charting method; a flowchart is created. Several process verification techniques are used to ensure basic accuracy and completeness.
6. Customer and Supplier Feedbacks and Feedforwards are identified and diagnosed.
7. Using a Multi-Voting technique, several CSF based opportunities are identified.
8. Possible improvement opportunities are identified and defined.
9. Improvement opportunities are screened using a Prioritization Matrix of cost/benefit, duration, and probability of short-cycle improvement success.
10. Based on the established priorities and with respect to the boundaries and expectations set by the management team, Team Charter documents are created for review by management at the end of the Quick Change session.
11. Each improvement opportunity undergoes a quick solution analysis and, as appropriate, solutions are identified and evaluated. They are then reviewed with the Management Team at the end of the Quick Change session along with the Team Charters.

Possible outcome of Quick Change Sessions are:

1. Solutions that can be implemented – right now
2. Solutions needing cross functional review for broader input prior to implementation
3. Teams chartered to work on developing further detailed and tested solutions (again within tight time frames), possibly as a basis for Six Sigma projects
4. Identification of other initiatives that cover the area and out of scope proposal