The 6 Steps To Six Sigma

The First Step - Executive Training

The very first step for implementing Six Sigma in an organization is to ensure that executives at all levels are conversant with the principles. This requires hiring a team of senior consultants who work through regular interaction with the executives and make them understand data interpretation, its relevance, and uses.

Second Step - Training Trench Level Staff

Next in line would be training the front line staff, as they are the people who have in- depth and firsthand knowledge about the day-to-day operational activities. They need to not only understand but also sincerely believe in the benefits of Six Sigma as they are at the execution level and control and direct the bulk of the workforce. It is therefore vital for the staff to believe in and stand by the company to ensure success of the whole project.

Third Step - Data Measurement

Basic to Six Sigma is quantification of defects per unit - this covers both manufacturing and services. Nothing should be vague. Everything should be recorded, and made to reflect factual and duly measured numerical data. For example, what is the time taken to ship the order to the customer? How long is the response time to a phone call made to the customer service department? What is the percentage of satisfied customers? What is the average break time availed by employees? Only after gathering sufficient data regarding points like this can the process to improvement in quality begin.

Fourth Step- Data Analysis

Analysis of data is now required to identify the gap between the perfection level desired and the present operating efficiency level. The aim of the entire exercise is to close the gap. It cannot be overemphasized that it is essential for front line staff to whole-heartedly participate in the total quality improvement. This is possible only when the management is somehow able to convey the link or connection between total quality improvement and workplace improvement.

Companies use diverse methods for this. Realize that sincere participation requires taking extra pains involving extra effort which no employee will undertake until there is a reward in sight, some offer bonuses some have rewards and prizes for achieving goals while others offer perks based on predetermined levels of improvement.

Fifth Step - Assessment Of Quality Improvement Under Changed Conditions

After functioning for some time in the changed conditions, when modified operations and procedures have been in place in pursuance of the project, fresh data collection under supervision of Six Sigma Black Belts should be done to access the level of quality improvement. This will take a lot of time, capital and resources, but is essential in order to access the level of improvement achieved.

Sixth Step - Constant Monitoring And Control

Once improvement is perceptible, regular monitoring to control the repercussions from unforeseen variables that could affect overall business quality, like new products introduced by competitors or the facility undergoing some change, will need to be done. This will require top Six Sigma black belts for constantly analyzing data in order to access the effect of future variations, identify possible trends in order to determine the action plan for consistently regular improvement.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Six Sigma In IT Project Delivery
Six Sigma analysis is initiated by formulating a problem statement. A classic example is a case at Raytheon Aircraft. There, the entire IT team has un...

Gaining Profits from Six Sigma Training
Six Sigma training is an approach that is used by several companies to improve their overall performance. Giant companies like Motorola, General Elect...

Six Sigma Training An Overview
The unbelievable results achieved by the pioneers of the Six Sigma management methodology and implementation were not realized overnight. Concerted ef...

Six Sigma Quality Control Certification
The new emphasis on quality is why businesses have now become more concerned about maintaining the quality of products and services than ever before. ...

Marketing Lean Six Sigma As A Profit Multiplier
New responsibilities may not have been conferred onto them by their organization, but on an informal level, Master Black Belts are expected to shoulde...

The Roadmap To Lean Six Sigma Training And Beyond
An organization planning to conduct Lean Six Sigma training should also focus on providing the right channels of communication in order to ensure the ...

Six Sigma As The Ultimate Management Tool
Six Sigma, The Stepping Stone To SuccessThe question that crosses everybody's mind is - what makes Six Sigma such a high caliber, fine quality process...

How To Initiate A Six Sigma Project
Although one cannot have a project-specific vision right from the very beginning of a Six Sigma initiative, you can develop a comprehensive viewpoint....

The 3 Characteristics Of Six Sigma
Six Sigma basically aims at improving the efficiency of business processes by reducing the number of defects. The aim is to achieve near-perfect proce...

Your Six Sigma Refresher Guide
So what is Six Sigma? It is a detailed systematic statistical operation which will help an organization to discover, decrease, and ultimately remove a...

Aligning Six Sigma With Organizational Goals And Objectives
In such a situation, the organization may find it very difficult to maintain competencies that are necessary for staying ahead in the race.Six Sigma A...

What Lean Six Sigma Practitioners Should Know About Benchmarking
Benchmarking plays a vital role in Lean Six Sigma implementation projects as it allows Six Sigma professionals to assess the overall value offered by ...

Design Of Experiments With Six Sigma
The Basic Concepts Underlying DOESix Sigma stresses making alterations in existing business processes for improving overall efficiency. To make effect...

Six Sigma And Leadership Commitment
The Significance Of Leadership Commitment In A BusinessBy leadership here we don't mean only the top rung people. Usually people have a misconception ...

Training to Use the Six Sigma Principles
In the workplace, there are numerous practical principles that are aiming to further improve and boost corporate performance. While Japanese manufactu...