LSS SIG - Voice of the Customer � Focus Groups  

Lean Six Sigma (LSS)

Special Interest Group (SIG)

DATE:      Wednesday, September, 28, 2011

TOPIC:     Voice of the Customer - Focus Groups

SPEAKER: Mr. Riz Ramakdawala, ASQ/DoN CSSBB
                    Senior Aerospace Engineer, DoD USD(P)

LOCATION:    
1616 Anderson Road McLean, Virginia 22102
Center Conference Room (3rd Floor)  
(See map for directions to TEQCORNER, www.teqcorner.com)
 
TIME:    
6:00-6:45pm - Networking
6:45-7:45pm - Program
7:45-8:00pm - LSS SIG Announcements

ADMISSION:    Please register at https://asq509.org/ht/d/DoSurvey/i/38891.  Registration is complimentary and ASQ Membership is not required.  Light refreshments will be provided.  Questions can be directed to [email protected]  


TOPIC DESCRIPTION: Voice of the Customer - Focus Groups
VOC gathering is essential to ensure that the LSS or DFLSS project product is what the customer wanted.  Most VOC tools are quantitative, e.g. surveys, but the qualitative needs are often overlooked.  Focus Groups are a power tool for gathering the qualitative data.

FACILITATOR BIO:
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT:  Mr. Ramakdawala joined the Defense Technology Security Administration�s (DTSA) Technology Directorate in October 2008 as a Senior Aerospace Engineer within the Aeronautical Division.  Mr. Ramakdawala�s primary duties include providing comprehensive technical assessments of national security risks for proposed exports of controlled hardware, software, technical data, and defense services.  Riz�s areas of technical responsibility include aircraft engines, composites and helicopters.

PAST EXPERIENCE:  Mr. Ramakdawala joined DTSA after a 14-year career working for and in support of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).  Riz started as an engineer for NAVAIR�s Propulsion and Power Department (AIR-536) as a project engineer for the T58 and T64 engines for the H-3, H-46, H-53, and VH-3D helicopters.  In 1998, Riz became the Lead Design Engineer for the T58 engine.

In 2002, Riz became the Propulsion and Power Systems engineer for the H-3, H-46, and the Presidential VH-3D.  In that capacity his responsibilities encompassed not only the engines but also power generation and distribution (batteries, wiring and electrical systems), secondary power, and drive systems.  He was then asked to lead the Propulsion and Power Engineering team for the V-22 in 2006.

In 2007, Riz was accepted into the NAVAIR Leadership and Development Program (NLDP).  During this two year training assignment, he was trained and worked as a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Black Belt.  He improved and implemented several new processes using Design for Lean Six Sigma including the newly chartered Naval Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement (NACRA) and NAVAIR Propulsion Online intranet portal.  In 2008, Riz was certified as a LSS Black Belt from the Department of Navy (DoN) and the American Society of Quality (ASQ).

EDUCATION:  Mr. Ramakdawala holds a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, 1994.  Mr. Ramakdawala also holds a MS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, 2001.  Mr. Ramakdawala is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certified in Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering.  Mr. Ramakdawala is a ASQ/DoN Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB).