Problem Solving Engagements

Solve urgent, complex problems fast

We help our clients solve their biggest technical problems to avoid product recalls and strengthen customer relationships

with a Shainin Problem Solving Engagement

When Losing Business isn't an option

Technical Problem Solving matters

Transmission parts on a diamond plate surface

When Losing Business isn't an option

Technical Problem Solving matters

When problems escalate to the level of customer complaints or thousands of dollars in failures or waste, you need efficient and effective problem solving.

If you’ve 5-why’d them to death, tried redesigning, and had all your internal subject matter experts review the issue with no resolution, it’s time for external assistance. 

It’s time for a problem-solving partner with a proven record of assisting teams in resolving solution-resistant and complex problems. We don’t believe in temporary solutions. We dive deep to discover the root cause and eliminate it at the source. We’re dedicated to providing actionable results and don’t stop until we do.

A Few of Our Partners in Problem Solving

Our Specialty

When it comes to problems, we work on all kinds. Our process isn’t restrictive to any one type of problem.
Some of our favorite projects to work on have been within the following categories:
Product Launch Problems
Field Reliability Problems
Missed
Shipments
Customer Complaints

Why Partner with Us

Regardless of how long you’ve been pursuing a solution, our team will assist you in investigating the true root cause and finding a sustainable solution. We’ve worked with companies around the world to resolve problems in crisis situations to get results fast. 

Independent 3rd party

If your customers are questioning your problem-solving ability, we’ve got you covered!

As an independent 3rd party, our mission is to find and control the root cause—not play politics.

Milestone-based pricing

We get paid as we reach project milestones–assuring you that our number one goal is always to help you find an effective, permanent solution to impactful problems.

speed of resolution

With a streamlined and strategic process, we’ll find the root cause faster than you think is possible to help you restore confidence internally and externally. 

Small failure quantity, no problem

Don’t have a lot of failed parts? We work with critical cases where a handful of failures is way too many. Our method can work with small sample sizes. 

How Problem Solving Engagements Work

Conquer Crisis Problems

With 70+ years of problem-solving experience, we’re experts at solving highly complex and safety-critical problems. Our battle-tested process allows us to understand your issue, integrate with your on-site team, and solve problems following our strategic framework.

When you have an urgent technical problem, a frustrated customer demanding you “Solve it NOW!”, or have a critical design that must have a trouble-free launch, a Shainin Problem Solving Engagement can assist you in achieving your targets. 

Team around a large wood conference table for a Project Kickoff Meeting in an upscale conference room

Phase 1

Set the Scope

This is where we’ll get to know each other and determine if we’re the right partner to guide your team in their problem-solving journey.

  • Our technical experts will review your project details and information 
  • We’ll prepare a custom strategy with scope and milestones
  • We’ll provide a proposal with milestone-based pricing to show our commitment to solving your problem
  • Together, we’ll review the proposal and ensure team alignment to foster collaborative success

Phase 1

Set the Scope
Team around a large wood conference table for a Project Kickoff Meeting in an upscale conference room

This is where we’ll get to know each other and determine if we’re the right partner to guide your team in their problem-solving journey.

  • Our technical experts will review your project details and  information 
  • We’ll prepare a custom strategy with scope and milestones
  • We’ll provide a proposal with milestone-based pricing to show our commitment to solving your problem
  • Together, we’ll review the proposal and ensure team alignment to foster collaborative success

Phase 2

Milestone-based Investigation

Once you’ve signed the proposal we’ll jump into solving the problem that’s been holding you back.

  • Our on-site team is dedicated 100% to your case until it’s solved, working side-by-side with your internal team to see the problem in person
  • Working within our framework, our collaborative team will  identify the hidden root cause of your problem
  • We’ll then work with your internal team to develop an understanding of how the problem occurs and how to predict and prevent it
  • By the end of the project, you’ll have a resolution to your problem

Phase 2

Milestone-based Investigation

Once you’ve signed the proposal we’ll jump into solving the problem that’s been holding you back.

  • Our on-site team is dedicated 100% to your case until it’s solved, working side-by-side with your internal team to see the problem in person
  • Working within our framework, our collaborative team will  identify the hidden root cause of your problem
  • We’ll then work with your internal team to develop an understanding of how the problem occurs and how to predict and prevent it
  • By the end of the project, you’ll have a resolution to your problem
Problem Solving team high-fiving at the conclusion of their project

Phase 3

Implement & Celebrate

As the decision-maker, your leadership has helped your team be the hero for solving the biggest problem plaguing your business. It’s time to celebrate!

  • Put your feet up, knowing that the problem is resolved
  • Rely on our continued support in presenting the team’s findings and conveying their significance
  • Have confidence that your team can help to solve BIG problems in the future
  • …And maybe think about how you can prevent & predict other issues like this through training

Phase 3

Implement & Celebrate
Problem Solving team high-fiving at the conclusion of their project

As the decision-maker, your leadership has helped your team be the hero for solving the biggest problem plaguing your business. It’s time to celebrate!

  • Put your feet up, knowing that the problem is resolved
  • Rely on our continued support in presenting the team’s findings and conveying their significance
  • Have confidence that your team can help to solve BIG problems in the future
  • …And maybe think about how you can prevent & predict other issues like this through training

See How We Talk to the Parts...

Case Study Title

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Innovative structure & refined simplicity that yields speed to resolution

Let our team of dedicated problem solvers help resolve your most impactful issues. Contact us today to team up!

Learn more about Shainin

Our Problem Solving Frameworks

Dorian Awards Criteria

Team Project Awards

Product Development
PROJECT OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes technical problems solved during product development and launch. These projects typically have small sample sizes to work with. Product development begins the lifecycle of a product. Projects that win this award will demonstrate:

  • Potential impact of the problem.
  • Effective use of the Shainin Red X® tools to uncover the root cause.
  • The timeline of resolution from initial discovery to solution implemented. 
  • Explanation of lessons learned and how to use this knowledge in the future.

Dorian Awards Criteria

Team Project Awards

Field Reliability
PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Field failures impact more than just your bottom line. This category is dedicated to projects that focus on field issues such as ‘No Trouble Found’, fatigue failures, and other destructive or malfunction events. Projects that win this award will demonstrate:

  • Initial impact of the problem.
  • Creative and effective use of the Shainin Red X® tools to uncover the root cause.
  • Speed and efficiency in resolving the issue.  
  • Impact of resolving the problem.

Dorian Awards Criteria

Team Project Awards

PLANT MANUFACTURING
PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Manufacturing is a world all its own. With the fast-moving pace, the speed of solving problems matters. The Plant Manufacturing Project of the Year Award recognizes projects that resolve complex problems in ongoing production which impact the end user, company bottom line, production quality rates, and the like. Projects that win this award will demonstrate:

  • Technical difficulty or complexity in resolving the issue.
  • Creative and effective use of the Shainin Red X® tools to uncover the root cause.
  • How the solution or information discovered was leveraged.
  • Timeline for resolving the issue.
Shainin Master Digital Badge Mockup

John Abrahamian

Executive VP - Problem Solving

John Abrahamian is a highly respected problem solver as well as an expert in the field of Lean manufacturing, with a career spanning over three decades. Throughout his career, John has become renowned for his innovative approach to problem-solving and his unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. 
  
After receiving his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1985, John began his career as a design and development engineer at Pratt & Whitney. It was during this time that his interest in problem-solving first emerged. By 1994, John had become a Continuous Improvement Manager at the company. During his tenure, John led Pratt & Whitney’s efforts in Lean manufacturing and Value Engineering. 
  
In 1990, John began pursuing his MBA in Operations Management, where he was first introduced to the concept of Lean manufacturing, and this influenced the direction of his career. In 1996, he was encouraged by his Pratt & Whitney team to take Shainin Red X training, building on his Lean manufacturing efforts. This training proved to be a turning point in John’s career, igniting his passion for problem-solving and setting him on a path to becoming one of the industry’s most respected experts. 
  
In 1998, John joined Shainin, where he has spent the last 25 years pursuing his passion for problem-solving. During his time here, John has developed innovative approaches to problem-solving, having received a US Patent for a problem-solving method. He also integrated function analysis into Shainin methods, seeding what would ultimately become Resilient Engineering.  
  
Despite his busy schedule, John still finds time to pursue his hobbies, which include golfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and skeet shooting. He especially enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time with family, including his three grandsons. 
  
Having the opportunity to work in a wide variety of industries, experiencing different cultures and meeting new and interesting people gives John the kind of job satisfaction that makes him grateful to be in this field of work. He truly enjoys creating meaningful relationships with his customers and inspiring ordinary engineers to become extraordinary problem solvers. 

Dorian Awards Criteria

Red X® Master of the Year Award

The Red X® Master of the Year Award is for leaders with a Red X® Master Certification who have increased the impact of problem solving using Shainin technologies within their organization. To be considered for this award, the submission must meet the following criteria:

  • Applies leadership skills to expand the impact of Shainin technologies within the organization.
  • Results include projects that made a significant impact improving business performance.
  • The number of individuals coached to certification.

Dorian Awards Criteria

Team Project Awards

This category of awards is for project teams who have demonstrated outstanding application of Shainin methodologies in solving complex problems within their company.

To be considered for this award, the submission must meet the following criteria:

  • Speed and efficiency of the problem solved
  • Technical difficulty and complexity of the problem solved
  • Project impact and leverage across the organization
  • Creative use of Shainin technologies
  • Clarity of the project documentation