{"id":10155,"date":"2021-08-30T18:34:08","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T21:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neomind.com.br\/?p=10155"},"modified":"2021-11-18T11:23:38","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T14:23:38","slug":"masp-methodology-boost-quality-in-problem-solving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neomind.com.br\/en\/blog\/masp-methodology-boost-quality-in-problem-solving\/","title":{"rendered":"MASP Methodology: boost quality in problem solving"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To solve a problem it is necessary to identify its root cause. As this is mostly unknown, there are several techniques, methodologies, or tools – depending on the problem – that can help in this task. One of them is MASP, acronym for Methodology for Analyzing and Solving Problems. As the name suggests, this is a methodology that assists in identifying and solving problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like PDCA (we talked about it in this article<\/a>), MASP is also a continuous improvement tool. The method consists of eight specific steps, namely: problem identification, observation, analysis, action plan, action, verification, standardization, and conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make the understanding of each step clear, we will present below a problem based on and adapted from a real event, and in which it was possible to apply the methodology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Model problem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The image above demonstrates the flowchart of how a software license purchase process works. The process is started by the requestor and then the vendor releases a fee. Software license activation can occur in three scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. The requestor is exempt from fee;<\/li>
  2. The payment of the fee is recognized by the system in the “Awaiting payment of the fee” phase;<\/li>
  3. The requestor declares that the payment has already been made and has a voucher in the “Declare fee payment” phase before the system recognizes the payment. If the requestor tries to prove that the payment was made with a false document, the system suspends the purchase request. Thus, it is only released if the requestor makes the payment through the bank and the system recognizes this payment.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>Applying the MASP methodology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Using the above problem as an example, we will apply the MASP methodology in the steps described in the introduction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>Step 1: Identification of the problem<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Occasionally, there were requests in which the activation of the registration was not performed even after the fee had been paid by the requestor. The problem was classified as critical, as it involved money and prevented the requestor from using what he paid for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The risk that the problem presented was to lose the reputation of the product and the company, and to be indicted in a court case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>Step 2: Problem observation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    After observing the problem from various angles using the questions below, we identified something in common between requests. In all of them the requestor had performed the task “Declare payment of the fee” with a false document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Following the flow of the license purchase process, the system suspended the request. The requestor then made the payment through the bank, which was recognized by the system. However, the license was not activated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Questions that should be asked in this step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n