Are you trying to eliminate a systemic quality problem at your business? Six Sigma may help. Six Sigma is a set of project-based methodologies used to improve quality and cut costs. Sure, it's used mostly by big companies. But many smaller companies can benefit from its lessons as well.
Motorola pioneered it, but General Electric's success made it famous. The most widely used method is known as DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control). Rather than trying random solutions, a business using Six Sigma pinpoints the cause of an issue or defect and applies only appropriate solutions.
Six Sigma was designed for manufacturing companies but a variety of companies use it today. The name was coined by a Motorola engineer and is a trademark of that company. Six Sigma implementation can assist with three key business objectives:
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Prepare to understand and implement new operational standards
Six Sigma is a rigorous methodology that uses statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's performance by eliminating problems in manufacturing or service-related processes.
I recommend: iSixSigma offers a full range of helpful information on Six Sigma for the novice as well as professional user.
Identify the problem
When deciding which Six Sigma projects to do first, focus on the parts of the business that aren't performing to expected or desired levels. Then create a model of the processes, relate the problem to a specific business process and document the steps.
I recommend: Try
Microsoft Visio software, which is used for process modeling, or free software from
Savvion.
Education and training
While high-quality education and training can be harder and costlier for small companies, look at the long-term investment and savings. Training/certification, depending on skill level and role (Green Belt, Black Belt, Master Black Belt, Champion, or Executive Leadership), can take months to master.
I recommend: On-site training offers the most advantages (if it's affordable), but online training from
Motorola University is also available. There are a number of high-caliber
consulting firms specializing in Six Sigma implementation.
DMAIC on a budget
Implementing a full-scale Six Sigma process with certified experts can be expensive and time-consuming. However, small businesses can borrow DMAIC principles and apply them to their specific needs, assigning DMAIC tasks internally.
I recommend: Hire consultants to map your plan or get
tips from experts to understand how to apply
DMAIC for yourself.
Cultural change
For complete success, disciplined implementation must follow training, and people at all levels must change their mindset about how they approach their job duties.
I recommend: New ways of thinking, communicating and operating must permeate the company from the top down.
Motorola offers suggestions.
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