Red X

Investigate and Solve
Complex Problems
Faster than Ever

with Red X Problem Solving

Solve Fast & Get it right

When problems arise, you need a solution fast. You need a strategy to ditch your long list of possible causes and narrow your focus to the one that matters most.

With Red X in your toolbox, you can.

1. Solve Fast

Eliminate unnecessary testing and streamline your problem solving efforts for speed and accuracy.

2. Get it Right

Leverage physics and a “what’s different” mindset to get to the true root cause. There’ll be no root cause imposters here.

3. Proven Solutions

Test proposed solutions before implementing them at full scale to prove they work BEFORE you invest.

Solving faster together

Red X is trusted by brands like

Stop doing the same thing

and Expecting different results

Experience-based problem solving and brainstorming methods will only get you so far. With increased product complexity and tight project timelines, you need fewer ‘options’ to test, not more.

Red X: Our Different approach

A Simple & powerful effect

Red X flips the typical problem solving model. Our approach allows you to converge only on what matters by focusing on the effect rather than guessing at causes. It’s a strategic process of elimination using the physics of product, the process design and what we call ‘contrast’. With our simple yet powerful tools, you don’t have to be a statistician to solve problems. Our problem-solving framework gets you to the root cause efficiently so you can solve fast.

What makes it different?

The Framework, the Tools & the Mindset

FACTUAL

The Framework

FACTUAL is the 7-step framework Red X employs to strategically converge to the root cause of a problem. But it’s more than just a fancy acronym. Rather than relying on historical experience or opinions, the Red X method is based on empirical testing. We “let the parts do the talking”. We’ve developed and refined our testing methods to be simple but impactful.

Simple in form

The Tools

We believe problem solving tools shouldn’t take a masters degree in statistics to use. Over the last 75 years, we’ve refined existing tools to make them approachable for everyone on your team and created new tools to bridge existing gaps. Our Red X Toolkit is full of problem solving assets that are not only simple in form but have the statistical rigor to get you impactful results.

Y to X

The Mindset

Typical problem solving methods rely on the problem solving team to have experience with the system and a clear understanding of how it works. Without that, experience-based and brainstorming methods are not guaranteed to find the root cause. Red X reverses the diagnostic process and uses the contrast between the best performing parts and the worst performing parts to eliminate the shared “possible causes”. The difference between the best and worst parts is obviously the cause, we just have to let the parts do the talking.

Ready to start solving the "unsolveable"?

Red X in 2023

By the Numbers

$500M+

Dollars saved by companies partnered with Shainin in 2023

33

Crisis problems resolved in 2023. Curious about “Crisis Problems“?

803

Projects completed for certification credit in 2023  

17:1

Typical Return on Investment for our partners in 2023

500M+

Dollars saved by companies partnered with Shainin in 2023

803

Projects completed by Shainin-trained teams in 2023

33

Crisis Problems resolved in 2023

17:1

Typical Return On Investment for our partners in 2023

*Data presented are from customer-verified cost estimates and are therefore likely to be conservative

Solve the "Unsolveables"

Two ways to solve

We’ve heard it countless times. “This is just the way it is” or “that problem isn’t solveable”. We call those “the Unsolveables”. The problems that companies choose to live with everyday. But they don’t have to. Now there’s another option. In fact, we offer two options to start solving the problems that everyone says can’t be solved.

Solve IT Now with Red X

Red X Consultant discussing problem solving strategy with client at a white board
The Issue:

Have an urgent technical problem? Dealing with a frustrated customer demanding you “Solve it now!”? Need a problem solved and don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to solving it?

The Solution:

A Red X Problem Solving Engagement

A dedicated team will come to your facility and get you the answer.

How It Works:
  1. Setting the Scope | Assessment followed by a custom problem-solving proposal
  2. Milestone-Based Investigation | A Red X project occurs in phases. We’re confident enough to tie our pricing to each phase of completion.
  3. Implement & Celebrate | Upon completion of the project, all that’s left to do is to fully integrate into your process and documentation. Then sit back and relax. Or move on to solving the next problem. 

Teach your team

Shainin consultant conducting Red X training for customers in a meeting space
The Objective:

Elevate your organizations problem-solving capabilities

The Solution:

Red X Training & Certification

We’ll train, coach, and certify your team to solve complex problems using the Red X Methodology.

How It Works:
  1. Setting the Scope | We’ll meet to review your goals and set your team up for success.
  2. Select & Train | Collaborate to identify the right people and projects.
  3. Solve | After training, your team receives regular coaching to reinforce their learning and get you results.
  4. Certify & Celebrate | Completing a project and resolving a problem is certainly something worth celebrating.
  5. Level Up | Get ready for the next level of training and tools to enhance your team’s skills even further.

Start solving the "unsolveable"

Best Practices to make RED X even more effective

Maximize your Problem Solving ROI

Make sure your team knows what Red X is

Problem solving is often a team sport so everyone needs to be on the same page. Red X is a problem solving framework and toolset to help teams converge on the root cause of complex problems. It is a problem-solving methodology and strategy. 

Don't send just one person to training

The importance of teamwork to the success of your problem-solving program can not be understated. From the assembler to the engineer to the manager, the whole team is involved somehow. When only one person knows a methodology, it’s hard to implement a new process. Having multiple people in a training group makes your investment much more likely to have a strong return.

Create a problem solving Culture & Competency

Successful problem solving requires more than just the project teams. Create a structure to support your problem solving teams in identifying, prioritizing, managing, and supporting projects. We’ll help your team get started with regular coaching sessions, but a successful program will create a structure that allows project teams to integrate their problem solving into their everyday jobs. 

Don’t have one? We can help. Learn about RT5

Prepare for not just a class, but also having a coach

Many training programs are just that, training. In our programs, we’ve found that the most effective way to instill the Red X Methodology and best practices are to follow a three part process: Training, then Coaching, followed by Certification. We’ve designed our system to maximize the impact of what is being learned and to garner the most effective implementation for our customers. 

Certification is worth something - to the company & the individual - don't dismiss it

Certification may seem like an unnecessary step, but it serves a valuable purpose. Shainin, the certifying body, ensures that every team member who earns certification is capable of performing the work correctly. If a candidate cannot meet Shainin’s standards, they will not be certified. This guarantees that certified individuals can complete their work correctly without the need for constant supervision. For the individual, there’s a level of pride in achievement. Our certification follows rigorous standards and that means that it takes hard work to get it. 

Start at the beginning

Just like beginning an education starts with the basics, so does our Red X method. Regardless of previous trainings and certifications, Red X training begins with Apprentice. Our methods approach problem solving from a different perspective and the fundamentals we teach in our Apprentice level courses are necessary in order to apply the methods and to excel in implementing them. 

Innovative structure & refined simplicity that yield speed to resolution

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

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.