Six Sigma is a business improvement methodology whose main objective is to implement a vigorous process to systematically eliminate defects and inefficiency. It was developed in the early 1980's and because of its proficiency it has become very popular in many corporate and small business environments around the world. Its main objective is to deliver high performance, value and reliability to the customer and is regarded as one of the major themes for Total Quality Management (TQM). While originally developed for quality control, Six Sigma is used in many different ways such as improving communications with customers, employees and shareholders, and improving the total process of interaction, communication and product.
The Six Sigma Methodology includes two key methodologies; DAMIC and DMADV. DMAIC is used for an existing process. DMADV is used when creating a new product or process. Using it for new projects can usually result in a more predictable process and ultimately higher quality product. There are five important steps included in DMAIC. They are; D- Define goals to improve the overall process between your company strategy and your customers demand. M- Measure your current current process. Collect relevant data on your current processes and then use this data as a baseline for future comparisons. A- Analyze your relationships within the process. It will help in understanding the relationship so as to determine factors that can ensure you keep your companies strategy in line with your customer's demands. I- Improve the process. Constantly improve and optimize the process, using analysis and other techniques. C- Control. It is important to ensure that you control and correct any variances avoiding possibly costly defects and loss of quality.
There are important steps to include in DMADV and they are; D-Define goals that are consistent between your business strategy and customer demands. M- Measure critical to qualities (CTQs).this consists of production process, capabilities producing a product, the quality of a product and any risk assessment. A- Analyze and evaluate many different designs, choosing the best design for its overall qualities. D- Design details. Do not only design a product but optimize the design features. In order to fully optimize a design feature you will be required to create multiple design and simulations. V- Verify the design. This will be done by setting up pilot runs and running a short production.
There are many roles that that are used in the Six Sigma Methodology in many organizations and are not necessarily universal and they are.
Executive Leadership - Top level executives are responsible for vision and ultimately implementation of the methodology. They also empower others to take initiative and ownership of the principles.
Champions - Champions are usually upper management that is responsible for the implementation of Six Sigma throughout their organization.
Master Black Belts - are usually hand picked by Champions to coach others within the organization on the Six Sigma methodologies. They allocate either all or most of their time to the Six Sigma methodologies. Usually have mentoring abilities.
Experts - They improve overall services, products, and processes for their end customers.
Black Belts - Black Belts focus on six sigma executions. They are usually middle managers. Green Belts - employees who help Black belts execute specific projects, as well as other job responsibilities usually take on these roles.
The method has helped many organizations cut costs and become competitive. But in order to implement it all the people responsible for its inception should be enthusiastic about the methodology or it will lead to failure. It is also unclear if Six Sigma is helpful because it cannot be measured.
Author Resource:
This article touched the basics of the topic. I have 2 more resources related to the above. They are dmaic and six sigma . They are worth a read.
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