Problem Analysis Using 8D Methodology

You can conduct a problem analysis in SAP QIM according to the 8D methodology by creating and processing a QIM issue with the issue type 8D Problem Analysis. To ensure that the eight disciplines in 8D are covered, an 8D problem analysis is divided into steps. The user interface for 8D problem analysis differs from the user interface for the advanced processing of other QIM issues. There is a separate screen area for each discipline. You can access the screen areas using the issue hierarchy.

To create an 8D problem analysis, you have different options:

You can create it directly by choosing the issue type for an 8D problem analysis under Create Quality Issue (Advanced) .

Note
It is not possible to create an 8D problem analysis by choosing Create Quality Issue (Guided) or Create Quality Issue (Quick) .

End of the note.
You can trigger a problem analysis for a defect that, for example, belongs to a QIM issue with the issue type Customer Complaint. Here, you create a follow-up issue of the issue type 8D Problem Analysis. In this case, some fields are automatically copied from the customer complaint or the defect to the 8D problem analysis. For more information, see below in the process description.

You can also link a directly created 8D problem analysis with an existing defect.

You can use the method framework delivered with 8D (for example, the option to divide an issue into steps) to implement other problem-solving methodologies.

For more information about the technical implementation of 8D in SAP QIM, see 8D: Technical Implementation.

Prerequisites

The Customizing necessary for the 8D methodology (for example, the issue type 8D Problem Analysis (Q8D) is delivered via BC Sets. To be able to use the delivered Customizing settings, you must activate the BC Sets in Customizing for QIM under Start of the navigation path Issue Processing Next navigation step Problem-Solving Methodologies Activate BC Sets for 8D End of the navigation path .

If you want to use the delivered Customizing for a Defect with Problem Analysis (issue type QDP), you must also exchange the usual issue type for Defect (QDF) when defining hierarchies of issue types (in Customizing for QIM under Start of the navigation path Issue Processing Next navigation step Define Issue Types Subitems End of the navigation path ). This allows you, for example, to create an 8D problem analysis (issue type Q8D) as a follow-up issue from the issue type for customer complaints (QI1) at defect level (issue type QDP).

Process

The following process describes how to create an 8D problem analysis when it is created for a defect:

When processing a defect, for example, a customer complaint, you can trigger or assign an 8D problem analysis.
To first identify any similar QIM issues or defects that may have the same material as a reference object or the same code as the defect, you can search for related issues or defects in the side panel. To do this, select the defect and choose Additional Information. For more information, see Reports for Related Issues or Defects.
If you find a suitable 8D problem analysis, you can assign the current defect to this existing problem analysis under Referenced Defects if required.
To create a new 8D problem analysis, choose Trigger Problem Analysis. For creating the problem analysis, all issues types are available that are entered in Customizing for the issue type of the defect under Follow-Up Issues.
When you create an 8D problem analysis as a follow-up issue, some data is filled automatically; you can add other data manually.
More information about the individual screen areas:
- In the Issue Overview, the system automatically copies the dates for the requested start and requested end from the original issue, for example, the customer complaint. You can have other date fields filled automatically using date determination. The main reference object is the material of the defect from the customer complaint. The defect is also entered automatically as the referenced defect. If the problem analysis is relevant for other similar defects, you can also assign these.
- In the step D1 – Team, you enter the members of the problem-solving team by specifying the partner roles and business partners.
- In the step D2 – Problem Description, the system copies the data (for the codes and description, for example) from the defect. You can overwrite this copied data.
- In the step D3 – Containment Action(s), you can create immediate containment actions for the 8D problem analysis using a quick entry function. The system uses the activity type or activity template that you stored in Customizing for the respective step. The end date of this step is set automatically when all activities are completed.
- If you use the 8D issue type with integrated 5 Whys methodology, you conduct the root cause analysis in the 5 Whys Analysis screen area (see Root Cause Analysis Using 5 Whys).
  If you conduct the root cause analysis outside of SAP QIM, you can store the documentation of this analysis in the QIM system as an attachment to the 8D problem analysis.
- When you have found the root causes, you can enter them in the step D4 – Root Causes. Technically, the system creates causes with the issue type Cause for Problem Analysis (QCP) (subitem of the 8D issue type). For each cause, you can specify under % Contribution which portion of the defect was contributed by each cause.
- For each cause, you can specify activities for remedying the cause of a defect in the step D5 – Chosen Permanent Corrective Action(s). When planning is completed, you can use the copy pushbutton with the quick info Implement Activity to copy the activity to the D6 step. Technically, this creates a new activity for which some of the data is copied. The D5 activity is then set to Completed by the system. The end date of this step is set automatically when all activities are completed.
- The step D6 – Implemented Permanent Corrective Action(s) includes the activities that you introduced in the D5 step. With the exception of the status, date fields, and the attachments, the system copies all data from the corresponding D5 activity. You can add other activities manually. The end date of this step is set automatically when all activities are completed.
- In the step D7 – Action(s) to Prevent Recurrence, you can define activities: in this case, however, at the level of the 8D problem analysis. Here, the activities that you entered in Customizing for the 8D issue type under Automatic and Proposed Activity Templates are listed automatically. The end date of this step is set automatically when all activities are completed.
- To wrap up an 8D problem analysis, you can enter an assessment of the resolution in the step D8 – Congratulate Your Team. Here, you can also set the end date of the 8D problem analysis.
- Under Documentation, the PDF forms are stored that you created during the course of the process by printing or e-mailing an interim status of the problem analysis or the final 8D report (see also 8D Report).
- Under Attachments, you can assign other documents to the 8D problem analysis, such as documents relating to the root cause analysis.
For all activities in the 8D process, you can enter the effectiveness in percent and store a free text for the verification of the result. If you want to do this at a later date, you can assign the validation status Effectiveness Check Outstanding for the 8D problem analysis. An activity with this status cannot be archived.
If you want to process specific activities within an 8D problem analysis, it is possible to select by steps in the worklist for activities.

Result

You can print out the results of the 8D problem analysis or send them by e-mail using a special PDF form for 8D reports. For more information, see 8D Report.