IMPQI251 – Apply the Measurement System Analysis improvement technique in food operations

Overview 

This standard is about the skills and knowledge needed for you to apply measurement systems analysis (MSA) as part of your organisation's drive to increase the effectiveness and productivity of food operations. This is important in the achievement of excellence and the success of manufacture, processing and supply across the food supply chain. Determining the components of variation in the measurement process can make a significant contribution to the implementation of change, improvement, new practice, targets and a performance driven culture.

You will need to apply and understand the methodology of measurement system analysis and how it is used to contribute to potential improvements. You will need to present findings of analysis to relevant people within the organisation, including management. You will need to know how to comply with your company policy for improvement, take responsibility for your actions, and refer any issues outside of the limit of your authority to others.

This standard is for you if you work in food or drink operations including, manufacturing, processing, packing or supply chain activities. You may have responsibilities for aspects of organisational improvement in a team leadership or management role.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

Prepare for analysis

  1. confirm and agree the defined scope of analysis with the relevant personnel
  2. check and confirm that measurement system analysis is the most appropriate improvement technique to support the analysis required with the relevant personnel
  3. obtain information, documentation and resources necessary to support the technique in accordance with procedures
  4. communicate the purpose of the analysis to the relevant personnel

Carry out analysis to identity measurement system improvement opportunities

  1. use approved methodology to apply the technique and determine the components of variation in the measurement process in accordance with the improvement plan
  2. analyse and evaluate components in variation in measurement in accordance with the improvement plan

Report improvement opportunities

  1. present the findings of the measurement system analysis to the relevant personnel
  2. make recommendations about improvement opportunities and targets resulting from the analysis findings to the relevant personnel

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand

  1. the organisation's improvement vision, strategy, objectives and the reasons for implementation of improvement programmes
  2. how the health, safety and hygiene requirements of a work area can influence the process of analysis
  3. the food or drink operational measurement activity that is being analysed
  4. why it is important to analyse measurement systems in an improvement strategy
  5. how measurement systems are selected for analysis
  6. possible sources of measurement systems variation
  7. the use of measurement systems analysis
  8. how measurement systems analysis can be used in a Six Sigma improvement project
  9. how a variable, attribute repeatability and reproducibility study is conducted
  10. the terminology used in measurement system analysis
  11. how measurement systems analysis studies are conducted
  12. how gauge repeatability and reproducibility is calculated
  13. how gauge precision and tolerance is calculated
  14. industry rules for repeatability and reproducibility results
  15. levels of authority linked to problem resolution
  16. the use of statistical measurement and meanings, abbreviations and symbols in the collection of performance data
  17. how to use graphical data representation in data analysis
  18. how to interpret and evaluate data
  19. how to present analysis findings
  20. how to make recommendations about improvement opportunities and targets

Keywords: Food operations; Manufacturing; Excellence; Improvement; Organisational development; Change; Management; Measurement system analysis