Learn from Six Sigma

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Six Sigma has been used by countless organizations to improve the way they are doing business on a daily basis. The methodology can be applied to organizations of all types and sizes, ranging from the largest multi-national corporations to manufacturing facilities and even an individual family.

Organizations have used Six Sigma as a reliable part of the quality improvement process since 1986. And while a large Six Sigma project could cost anything from $1,000 to $1 million in work-hours and other resources, the results of such projects often far outweigh the investment. In addition to the direct benefits of the project, indirect benefits such as process optimization ensure that the benefits include improved efficiency for years to come.

– Alex Orlov

The investment required to implement Six Sigma principles in an organization can be significant, but when done properly, the payoff will be well worth the time and money. There are many things corporations and individuals alike can learn from this methodology, and taking the time to learn from the Six Sigma implementation in a company can make the value go up even further.

Learning Opportunities

The following items are just a few of the many things that individuals and groups can learn from the Six Sigma methodology. It is especially beneficial to take the time to learn during the implementation in a company because there will be so many changes, training classes and presentations occurring at this time.

  • Documenting – The Six Sigma methodology stresses the importance of documenting things properly. People can learn about the fact that proper documentation will not only help you to keep track of different things, but also help you achieve many goals. The simple act of documenting your goals, for example, will focus your mind on getting them done in a timely manner.
  • Planning – One thing those experienced with Six Sigma are aware of is the fact that everything needs to be planned out properly. This can be applied to virtually any situation in both personal and professional environments. Planning things out can help ensure they go properly, and will avoid running into difficulties.
  • Being Specific – The more precise you can be in your planning and documentation, the more effective it will be. Whenever a decision has to be made, or an action has to be taken, it is important to be as precise and specific as possible to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.
  • People Vs. Processes – Many individuals make the mistake of trying to manage processes, and ignoring the people. It is more important, however, to ensure each individual is aware of what is going on, and how things should be done. Without this, the processes won’t be able to be nearly as effective.
  • Use Data – Whenever making a decision, always try to use data to help guide the choices. Unlike emotions or feelings, data won’t typically change, and it will provide a much more accurate picture of the problem being addressed.

There are many different things which people can learn from the Six Sigma methodology. Rather than simply attempting to implement it in a facility without taking the information to heart is a big mistake. It will result in a less effective implementation and a missed opportunity for everyone in the facility.

Additional Resources

Related posts:

  1. Six Sigma Belts and Their Meaning
  2. Lean and Six Sigma Simplified
  3. Six Sigma and More
  4. Six Sigma Principles
  5. Lean and Kaizen are not meant to eliminate People
  6. Value Streams
  7. Changeover – Creating Flow and Eliminating Waste
  8. The Toyota Production System House
  9. The Tools of Kaizen