Six Sigma and the IT Industrial Revolution
Posted by: meikah | 26 February 2009 | 9:02 pm
Over at vnunet.com, Katy Ring talks about the IT industrial revolution. And that despite the economic crisis, the IT industry must continue to flourish. After all, most of our processes these days depend on IT.
Ms. Ring puts forward the idea that many organizations in the coming months will surely be focusing on cutting costs yet still being able to function properly. Thus, she says:
All IT service vendors should be able to demonstrate widespread use of systems management tools, which underpin IT delivery, and the adoption and pervasiveness of ITIL, ISO 20000 and Six Sigma frameworks and methods in delivery. They should also be able to demonstrate an ability to direct manpower to where it is needed and the level of centralised control for service delivery and explain how this will assist in contract delivery and pricing.
I agree with her. IT organizations must learn to utilize systems management tools such as Six Sigma or Lean, or the combination Lean Six Sigma, to save on necessary IT expenses and enjoy the corresponding benefits. To me, that is the only way to go in the coming months.
Filed under: IT, ITIL, Lean Six Sigma, Processes, Quality, Six Sigma, Technology
No Comments » |
When Cost Cutting, Lean Six Sigma Comes in Handy
Posted by: meikah | 3 December 2008 | 7:54 pm
Lean is about streamlining or eliminating waste, while Six Sigma, as we all know, is keeping variation at bay by improving processes and using statistical tools.
During this time that cost cutting is the order of the day, the two combined can come in handy.
In an article on CIO News-Search CIO, in the IT field, CIOs are enjoined to apply Lean Six Sigma to their cost cutting measures.
In lean times, CIOs should apply Lean Six Sigma practices to IT operations, the panel said. In the case of incident management, change management and release configurations that have been codified by frameworks like the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), applying lean thinking should be par for the course. On the other hand, in application development, which is more of a “moving target” and less mature, applying lean thinking is much more difficult. But it should be done, by keeping value uppermost in mind. Resources should be focused on the people who can really add value to the process.
A lean IT organization is also continually evaluating systems and processes for “overkill,” said principal analyst Marc Cecere. A 700-person IT shop that requires 18 signatures on every approval is an example of overkill, Cecere said. In addition, every problem does not deserve its own process, he added, urging CIOs to adopt the “Kill stupid rules” policy of one of his clients.
Cost cutting and determining where to cut costs is a highly sensitive matter. Thus, it has to be done with a sound system in place. Lean Six Sigma can do the trick. The methodology helps you identify the problem and determine which areas do not yield value, and then you can work on it.
Via: iSixSigma News
Filed under: IT, ITIL, Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma, Software/Technology
No Comments » |
Six Sigma in the Training and Developing Future IT Workforce
Posted by: meikah | 25 August 2008 | 9:13 pm
Over at Training Zone, Paul Lambert, managing consultant at PA Consulting Group, shares his insights on some of the key factors shaping the workforce, the implications for how a workforce learns and how learning and development (L&D) can address these issues.
Toward the end of the Q&A, the topic was how to make the shift to developing a capable IT workforce, and Mr Lambert offers four steps. On the fourth step, which is picking the right learning approaches, this is what he said:
A shift towards building ‘strategic capability’ typically involves a greater focus on learning that is more embedded in business activity. For instance, the energy firm shifted towards learning that included development of six sigma skills (to enable IT process improvement), accreditation of knowledge and skills for a new service delivery model (ITIL), development of professional networks inside and outside the firm and support for IT career development.
Filed under: IT, ITIL, Productivity, Six Sigma, Training
No Comments » |
The SixSig Roundup
Posted by: meikah | 28 March 2008 | 1:49 am
It’s time again to go ’round the blogosphere and read about Six Sigma and other quality management methodologies.
Learn from the following links and leave your message below. 
Buffalolog, Six Sigma Too “Dilbert” For The Buffalo News – this is another reaction to my earlier post on slowing down on Six Sigma.
Planview, Notes from ITIL Foundation Training – IT management, like any other field, definitely needs a good management system. ITIL is one approach to IT management, and in the post, Terry Doerscher shares his insights while on training for ITIL foundation-level certification. Six Sigma or not, I agree with Terry when he says that there should be mechanisms for assessment, optimization, and management of IT services.
Bloggeron, is Following a Systematic Approach to Six Sigma Project Implementations – Tony Jacowski offers a good review for Six Sigma practitioners who’ve been doing it through the years.
Statistical Thinking to Improve Quality, Resin Example of Hoerl-Snee Strategy (Part B) – Yes, the improvement process is iterative: gather data, identify special cause, gather more data, notice differences, and then conduct brainstorming session. The process may use Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) or DMAIC steps.
The Sixth Sigma, Kaizen Plan – Kaizen is creating noise these days. Go Kaizen? Yeah, why not. I like the organization part of it. Any strategy that calls for a never-ending contonuous improvement is always a good thing.
