Product Maps

Break Out

In your teams discuss the reasons for constructing a

process map during your process improvement
activities.
 Block Diagrams

A sketch or a drawing of the components (or features

of components) that are contained in the product,
subsystem or component
The blocks are linked to show how the components
interface with each other.
 A simple example

Motor
Water Clothes
controller

Motor Transmission Basket Cabinet

Y = “Walk” Performance Suspension

Feet
Will the washing machine move
during spin? Floor
 Break out

Consider the elements of a process map -

What parts on a process map would be useful to add
to a block diagram?
What other information would be useful to add?
 Product Maps

A block diagram of the product, subsystem, or

component that displays current product
knowledge .
 It adds the type of knowledge captured in C/E
Diagrams.
It increases the effectiveness of BB
techniques by encouraging Y=f(x) thinking
 Elements of a Product Map

Give examples for a product map of each:

Big Y’s - what the design must deliver to the
customer
Little y’s - things that affect the big Y in terms of
physics, chemistry, psychology, etc. A useful question
to ask is “Why is this particular component or sub-
assembly there? What purpose(s) does it serve?”
x’s – things that affect the little ys. They are typically
individual part characteristics.
 Controllable
 Noise
 Consider “first principles”

Think first about relationship between the y’s and

the Big Y’s.
By thinking about Y=f(y) first, we force ourselves to
consider first principles (fundamental laws of
nature). Why is that important?
 Level of Detail

Which is best:
 identify “all” possible things on a product map that might
improve performance if changed
 identify only those things that are feasible based on resource
constraints?
 Uses of Product Maps

 Lead to Y=f(x) for product; document and discover product

improvement activities.
 Identify how you are treating parameters for experimentation.
 Identify non-value adding components.
 Determine where to focus.

 Visualization tool - how do the components / sub-

assemblies interact?
 Communication tool - to design, manufacturing, labs, trade
partners, etc.