Episode 11: Finding Your North Star Metric and the Power of Experimentation with Karina Kretz
Experimentation drives discovery, whether it’s making Tikka Masala ice cream or improving processes. In Episode 11 of Quality Time with MoreSteam, Karina Kretz, Director of Product for EngineRoom®, shares her journey of blending creativity and statistics in continuous improvement. Karina discusses the importance of finding your North Star Metric, using statistical tools to analyze data, and leveraging EngineRoom’s capabilities to simplify process improvement.
From discrete event simulation to visual reporting and machine learning in root cause analysis, Karina highlights how EngineRoom empowers quality professionals to make better decisions. And yes, she also shares some insights into her ice cream-making experiments!
In this episode, you will hear about:
:30 – Karina’s educational background
5:30 – Using statistical tools in process improvement
7:19 – Prioritizing what data to analyze
9:25 – Features of EngineRoom data analysis software
11:00 – An overview of Discrete Event Simulation
12:18 – Using Process Playground for Discrete Event Simulation
13:36 – The visual reporting capabilities of EngineRoom
16:04 – EngineRoom and data integrity
17:43 – Karina’s role as a product manager, software developer, and creator
24:17 - Ice cream!
26:52 - Some of the process improvement tools in EngineRoom
29:16 - EngineRoom training and support
30:19 - Machine learning and Root Cause Analysis
32:51 - Final thoughts
Additional Resources:
EngineRoom Data Analysis Software
Karina's Webinar - The Future of RCA: Machine Learning-Driven Root Cause Discovery
MoreSteam's 2024 Best Practices in Operational Excellence Conference
Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter
What is Discrete Event Simulation?
Driving Success with Award-Winning Data Analysis Software
Subscribe to Quality Time With MoreSteam
Host • MoreSteam
Dan Swartwout is the host of Quality Time with MoreSteam. A lifelong Central Ohio resident, Dan is a double Buckeye. He earned both a BA and a law degree from The Ohio State University. Before joining MoreSteam, Dan had a long career as a host, comedian, and master of ceremonies. For 17 years, Dan was the studio audience host for the Ohio Lottery game show Cash Explosion. Dan was also the host of CBuzz, which was a collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, WWCD 92.9, and the Columbus Dispatch. On CBuzz, Dan interviewed some of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Central Ohio. From 2002-2020, Dan toured the country as a standup comedian. Tracks from his comedy CD have been played over 5,000 times on Sirius/XM satellite radio. Now, Dan brings his experience and enthusiasm to Quality Time with MoreSteam -- it's business and fun, together.
Director of Product – EngineRoom • MoreSteam
Karina Kretz began working at MoreSteam in 2016. She started as a Software Developer on the eLearning team, then moved into a Developer role on EngineRoom. She later became the Lead Designer on Process Playground before landing her current role as the EngineRoom Product Manager. She discovers and documents customer pain points in and out of the software and translates them into easy-to-use EngineRoom features. She also prioritizes and schedules work for the EngineRoom development team. Karina is passionate about understanding problems by using data, designing solutions with mockups and wireframes, and prioritizing information to make a better product.
Karina received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MSc in Interactive Media from University College Cork, Ireland.
