Motorola introduced the idea of Six Sigma to reduce defects, and match the quality standards their competitors were able to achieve. So, what is Six Sigma?
Originally, Six Sigma was a metric for a quality standard. Now, it is much more. You can see Six Sigma as a:
• methodology to achieve quality
• toolset for business improvement
• management approach that dominates the company’s culture
• basis for a huge consulting and training business
Six Sigma offers performance improvement processes on top of existing processes. The Six Sigma method focuses on understanding customers' requirements better and eliminating defects and waste.
The Benefits of Six Sigma
The primary benefits are:
• Improved quality
• Reduced waste
• And therefore reduced cost
• And increased customer satisfaction
Training for Six Sigma
Six Sigma training uses the metaphor of colored belts, lifted from Japanese martial arts.
Yellow Belt
Typically one to two weeks’ training to learn to use the basic tools of Six Sigma.
Green Belt
Typically two to three weeks’ additional training, to handle problem-solving tasks, leading small teams. Green belts often do much of the work on a Six Sigma initiative.
Black Belt
Black belts lead six sigma teams. You typically need
• Extra 2 to 4 weeks’ training,
• experience of 2 or more 6-s projects
• passing a test
Master Black Belt
Train, mentor, and advise black belts.
Of you need training in Six Sigma - at any level - onlinePMCourses recommends GreyCampus: bit.ly/GreyCampusSixSigma
A Peerless Toolset
Six sigma has a large toolset of business performance improvement tools:
• DMAIC problem solving (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control)
• DMADV design process (Define, Measure, Analyse, Design, Verify)
• 5 Whys
• Fishbone (Ishikawa) analysis
• SIPOC - Supplier, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customer
• 5 Cs
• Box Plots
• FMEA - Failure Mode and Effects Analysis ( • What is Failure Mode a... )
Relevance to Project Management
Six Sigma process improvement projects tend to be 3-6 months in duration and follow the DMAIC lifecycle (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control).
It is typically led by a Six Sigma Black belt, working on the project full time, with Green belt team or workstream leaders.
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A while back, I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list.
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Note that the links are affiliated.
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