How can six sigma be useful

It applies anywhere variation and waste exist, and every employee should be involved. Lean and Six Sigma both provide customers with the best possible quality, cost, delivery, and a newer attribute, nimbleness. There is a great deal of overlap between the two disciplines; however, they both approach their common purpose from slightly different angles:. Often successful implementations begin with the lean approach, making the workplace as efficient and effective as possible, reducing waste, and using value stream maps to improve understanding and throughput.

If process problems remain, more technical Six Sigma statistical tools may then be applied. Six Sigma implementation strategies can vary significantly between organizations, depending on their distinct culture and strategic business goals. After deciding to implement Six Sigma, an organization has two basic options:. With this approach, certain employees practitioners are taught the statistical tools from time to time and asked to apply a tool on the job when needed.

The practitioners might then consult a statistician if they need help. Successes within an organization might occur; however, these successes do not build upon each other to encourage additional and better use of the tools and overall methodology.

When organizations implement Six Sigma as a program or initiative, it often appears that they only have added, in an unstructured fashion, a few new tools to their toolbox through training classes. One extension of this approach is to apply the tools as needed to assigned projects. Implementing a Six Sigma program or initiative can present unique challenges. Because these projects are often created at a low level within the organization, they may not have buy-in from upper management, which may lead to resistance from other groups affected by the initiative.

In addition, there typically is no one assigned to champion projects across organizational boundaries and facilitate change. A Six Sigma program or initiative does not usually create an infrastructure that leads to bottom-line benefits through projects tied to the strategic goals of the organization. Therefore, it may not capture the buy-in necessary to reap a large return on the investment in training.

For true success, executive-level support and management buy-in is necessary. This can help lead to the application of statistical tools and other Six Sigma methodologies across organizational boundaries. Instead of focusing on the individual tools, it is best when Six Sigma training provides a process-oriented approach that teaches practitioners a methodology to select the right tool, at the right time, for a predefined project.

Six Sigma training for practitioners Black Belts using this approach typically consists of four weeks of instruction over four months, where students work on their projects during the three weeks between sessions. Deploying Six Sigma as a business strategy through projects instead of tools is the more effective way to benefit from the time and money invested in Six Sigma training.

Consider the following Six Sigma deployment benefits via projects that have executive management support:. A project-based approach relies heavily on a sound project selection process. He based the approach on statistical and quality control methods taught by Walter Shewhart, Ronald Fisher, and Edwards Deming, that were:. Six Sigma is a set of tools and techniques used by companies to improve production processes, eliminate defects, and guarantee quality.

The Lean Six Sigma certification helps in validating professionals who are skilled in identifying risks, errors, or defects in a business process and removing them. Getting a Six Sigma Certification usually requires individuals to have a certain level of experience and testify their proficiency.

The certification can help you become a specialist in process improvement and will enhance your credibility. Now, that we have understood what is a six sigma certification, let us undersatnd the varous certification levels. View Course. As you can see, the importance of Six Sigma certification cannot be overstated. Any business wants to retain its customers. Indeed, this is a significant factor in determining the success of a firm.

But, of course, customer loyalty and retention only ever come as a result of high levels of customer satisfaction. Learn More. Surveys suggest the reasons given by most customers for not returning to a business are dissatisfaction with the experience and employee attitude.

Often a company will not even know they have a dissatisfied customer as they will simply take their businesses elsewhere. Implementing Six Sigma reduces the risk of your company having dissatisfied customers, for once training is complete, so few experiences should be outside of their specifications.

To achieve this you may want to consider running a voice of the customer study which helps your business understand which of your products attributes are critical to the customer's perception of satisfaction. Employing a Six Sigma methodology at your business can help employees manage their time effectively, resulting in a more a efficient business and more productive employees.

This is done by looking at three key areas; learning, performance and fulfilment. For instance, under learning, a practitioner of Six Sigma might ask themselves; how often do interruptions take me away from my task and how many of these interruptions require my attention? Similarly, under performance, they might consider how their practices are helping them reach their professional goals. Users can then create an action plan, the result of which can be employees who are up to 30 per cent more efficient and who are happier in themselves, having achieved a better work-life balance.

Unfortunately, most projects firms embark on end up extending beyond their original deadline often because there are changes in project scope or there is a shift in management policy. By using Six Sigma, a business can set up a team of experienced employees from all levels within the organisation and from every functional department.

This team are then given the task of identifying factors that could negatively affect the project leading to long cycle times. They can then be tasked to find solutions to these potential problems. This method allows business to create shorter cycle times for projects and stick to those schedules, with many firms reporting reductions in cycle times of up to 35 per cent.

Every business, if destined to succeed, needs its employees to act in the right way - but for employees to do so there must be sufficient motivation.