8D Report Templates

This article will briefly discuss:

• what is an 8D report?;
• what is the 8D format?;
• the pros and cons of 8D;
• how today’s technology assists in 8D reporting; and
• free 8D report templates you can download, customize, and use.

What is an 8D Report?

An 8D Report is a comprehensive method that aims to eliminate problems by identifying and attacking its root cause(s). 8D Reports can lead to preventive measures that resolve persistent issues by utilizing a combination of expertise, data analysis, management tools, and data validation.

8D Format: The 8 Disciplines

The format of an 8D template encompasses the eight disciplines of problem-solving which are:

• D1: Form a team
• D2: Define the problem
• D3: Develop a containment plan
• D4: Identify root cause and escape points
• D5: Formulate corrective actions
• D6: Implement corrective actions
• D7: Formulate preventive measures
• D8: Congratulate the team

8D Report Pros and Cons

8D report templates have helped countless businesses improve their operations with its thorough, structured approach to problem solving. However, it has prerequisites that may not appeal to smaller operations with limited resources.

8D Report Pros

• 8D Reports provide a long-term solution.
  The 8D Model aims to eradicate the problem, not its symptoms. Once a problem has been identified, 8D takes a three-pronged approach to solving it.
  • Containment
    The goal of a containment measure is to minimize the potential damage that can be dealt by an identified issue while a permanent, long-term solution is being formulated. In the context of manufacturing, something as simple as halting production due to a faulty machine can limit the consequences of the problem.
  • Resolution
    Once damage control is successful, the focus shifts to creating a long-term solution. This is where the 8D Team, composed of experts in different facets of the business problem, brainstorm to come up with the most sensible and sustainable solution(s) to the issue.
  • Prevention
    After effectively resolving the issue, the final step is ensuring that it doesn’t happen again. Examples of preventive measures include updating policies, introducing new SOPs, or improving quality-control standards. Using a digital checklist to perform quality and process audits will help ensure that the changes made are consistently being implemented so the issue doesn’t recur.

• 8D Reports address the escape point.
  An “escape point” refers to the first control point in the system or process which was supposed to detect the problem, but failed. The study of escape points in an 8D form helps teams find the flaws in safety measures and fail-safes so they can be improved. How well the team identifies and rectifies the escape point is crucial to their successful use of the 8D model.

• 8D Reports are flexible.
  The 8D Report Model has seen extensive use outside of the auto industry. Hardware manufacturing, food manufacturing, and healthcare are just a few of the many industries that have benefited from using the 8D Report Model. Here is an example of an 8D PDF used in a hospital setting.

8D Report Cons

Extensive training is needed to use it effectively.
Effective use of the 8D Model requires knowledge of the problem-solving process, as well as various data-collection and analysis tools.
An 8D training program can be tedious to develop and conduct. A dedicated budget is also required if you plan to have your team take a pre-made 8D training course.

Technology to Assist in 8D Reporting

The 8D Problem Solving Model is a comprehensive technique and it is in your team’s best interest to utilize it efficiently and maximize its benefits. The solutions and preventive measures that result from the 8D Report must be based on the proper analysis of accurate data. Using a versatile data collection, analysis, and template-building app like iAuditor can help make 8D reporting easier, faster, and better.

Better, faster data collection

• Collect data from the field anytime with your phone or tablet, even while offline!
• Capture and annotate photos for documentation of evidence.
• Validate your findings with digital signatures.
• Save and secure your information with unlimited cloud storage.

Generate 8D reports instantly

• After completing the 8D report template, you can immediately generate a report to be shared with colleagues and stakeholders!
• Easily customize our pre-made 8D Report Template to fit your business needs.
• Export your 8D report in a variety of formats including PDF, DOC, and CSV.

Manage teams easier

• Assign and track corrective actions to team members through a single app.
• Update assigned corrective actions from your mobile device and receive notifications in real-time!
• World-class 24/5 customer support to assist you with your iAuditor queries.