Deploying Six Sigma Without Enough Data
Posted by: meikah | 11 September 2008 | 9:45 pm
Six Sigma, is often said, a data-driven methodology. It works with data in hand and use that data to find out if the processes are performing within the standard norm or has deviated from the norm.
This presupposes that we can only deploy Six Sigma projects if we have data already available. However, there’s a new finding that Six Sigma tools still fit in projects that lack data: we go into Lean Six Sigma.
The Lean Six Sigma process provides an excellent framework for projects. Some specific benefits:
- It provides a structured roadmap to eliminate the two-step process most organizations use, which consists of problem and solution. Six Sigma forces practitioners to define, plan, analyze, develop solutions, pilot changes and sustain results. This drives project management thinking.
- Many of the tools characterized by Six Sigma are just as valuable in any project. For example, the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is useful in several ways in most projects:
1. To characterize the current, as-is process
2. To predict issues in the proposed process prior to implementation
3. To characterize the final process that is put in place
- Measurement systems are normally created that can be used by management on the project involved as well as other organizational needs.
And read how DMAIC phases can benefit practitioners even in the absence of data.
Source:
iSixSigma Software
Filed under: DMAIC, Deployment, Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma, Tools/Toolkits
3 Comments |
Integrating 5 Lean Tools and Principles into Six Sigma
Posted by: meikah | 20 August 2008 | 11:30 pm
This is one good thing about Six Sigma. It’s not a stand alone methodology. In fact, you get more benefits if you incorporate it with other tools and methodologies.
iSixSigma has outlined five Lean tools and principles that you can incorporate into Six Sigma.
- Value Stream Mapping
- Takt Time
- Ishikawa (Cause-and-Effect) Diagram and 5 Whys
- Heijunka (Load Balancing)
- Poka Yoke (Mistake Proofing)
Find out how this is done here.
Filed under: Six Sigma, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
Six Sigma Reference: Using Six Sigma Tools in Powder Coating Applications
Posted by: meikah | 18 August 2008 | 9:13 pm
Having trouble with your powder coating application system and don’t know where to begin finding the problem, much less a solution? Try Six Sigma methods. This article gives you solid information about this troubleshooting methodology and how to apply it to your operation.
Read: Using Six Sigma Tools in Powder Coating Applications.pdf
Filed under: Six Sigma, Six Sigma References, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
Desirability, an Important Skill for Six Sigma Practitioners
Posted by: meikah | 13 August 2008 | 9:13 pm
This is new to me, too. So, what do we mean by desirability here?
It is a single number that describes how well a person’s performance comes to meeting the targets for all requirements simultaneously.
An article on iSixSigma has a good discussion about it.
The math in the desirability score card requires practitioners to know what the customer wants and what they will accept, known as voice of the customer (VOC); and what can be delivered and with how much variation, known as voice of the process (VOP).
Filed under: Six Sigma, Statistics, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
Lean-Six-Sigma-based Project Management Tool
Posted by: meikah | 10 August 2008 | 9:16 pm
Project managing is no mean feat. Planning, managing, ang organizing resources to achieve the goals of your project take a systematic approach.
Supply Today just released a web-based project management and consulting software tool that is based on Lean Six Sigma principles.
The press release over at Ferret.com goes:
The tool is used by Supply Today consultants to manage assignments by improving visibility and providing additional information to its customers.
Using project support tickets (email look-a-likes), management of dead-lines and tasks are simplified. Projects can to be managed as one-on-one or in formal groups. The application also supports Supply Today’s current methodologies and provides a high quality result along with a consistent approach for its customers.
I believe in Lean and Six Sigma and it’s combination, so I think this project management tool is worth checking out. 
Filed under: Deployment, Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, Six Sigma, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
Applying Six Sigma to Motion-Control Processes
Posted by: meikah | 22 June 2008 | 9:44 pm
I stumbled upon a good discussion about how to improve quality in motion control prcesses. Motion plays an important role in any organization, but motion control is used in the packaging, printing, textile, semiconductor production, and assembly industries.
Thus, if you’re business is involved in those mentioned above, motion control is important to you, and ensuring quality in these processes is crucial in your operations.
Over at heyicnc, Kevin Frantz, Six Sigma leader at GE Fanuc Automation, shares how Six Sigma can ensure quality in motion-control processes. Mr. Frantz says:
Your first task in applying Six Sigma to a motion-control process is to understand its purpose, which is always to optimize quality and throughput.
Six Sigma is a tool that can unveil subtle problems that plague all processes, silently stealing productivity and quality. Like all processes, motion-control applications are not immune to production downtime and quality control issues. Slow machine set ups, product positioning problems, equipment failures, out-of-spec parts can all contribute to the problem.
You may not know the exact cause, but you can see the negative results: low production counts, lackluster quality, customer rejection, and lost money. Six Sigma could be the solution to those problems.
*Photo from Stock.Xchng
Filed under: Manufacturing, Processes, Quality, Semiconductors, Six Sigma, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
Lean Six Sigma: A Catalyst for Change
Posted by: meikah | 23 May 2008 | 3:44 am
Change is good. But sometimes people refuse it because they’ve become complacent. Complacency though is the beginning of downfall.
Anything that means improvement also means change. Yet, for any business to grow, it must embrace change. One catalyst for change is Lean Six Sigma.
An article on iSixSigma discusses how Lean Six Sigma can serve as a change management tool:
Lean Six Sigma drives change in an organization. It inspires people to look at their processes differently – through the data-savvy lens of waste awareness – and to discover, characterize and control their processes. In so doing, this behavior drives process improvements, which often require changes to be communicated, deployed and managed.
But Lean Six Sigma also is, in and of itself, a change management tool that will facilitate the changes that it requires, as well as those of other change initiatives in an organization. As such, even the deployment of Six Sigma enables, rather than impedes, simultaneous change initiatives.
*Photo credit: Stock.Xchng
Filed under: Lean Six Sigma, Software/Technology, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
SixSig Book Feature: Design for Lean Six Sigma
Posted by: meikah | 7 May 2008 | 7:25 pm
ad-hoc-news reports that Research and Markets has announced the addition of Design for Lean Six Sigma to their offering.
Design for Lean Six Sigma is the only book that employs a “road-map” approach to DFSS, which allows corporate management to understand where they are in the process and to integrate DFSS methodology more fully into their overall business strategy. This is a similar approach to that used by Forrest Breyfogle in his successful book: “Implementing Six Sigma, 2E”.
This approach will allow corporate management to understand where they are in the process and to integrate DFSS methodology more fully into the overall business strategy. Another important aspect of this book is its coverage of DFSS implementation in a broad range of industries including service and manufacturing, plus the use of actual cases throughout. Continue reading…
Filed under: DFSS, Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma References, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
SixSig News: The Six Sigma Way Study Guide
Posted by: meikah | 29 January 2008 | 9:06 pm
Finally, I was able to edit the chapters of The Six Sigma Way study guide. I apologize to those who have tried accessing the study guide and found the chapters all messed up.
The Six Sigma Way, authored by Peter S. Pande, Robert P. Neuman, and Roland R. Cavanagh, is a clear, simple implementation guide to use Six Sigma successfully in various situations. Go over the study guide and read the book. You will find more value and lessons from the book.
After reading the chapter guides, check out also the study guide, the Q&A portion of each chapter and find out if you have learned some basic thing or two. As I write, I’m also improving the layout of the Q&A; otherwise it’s good to go.
Here’s some advance info: I’ll be writing another study guide or book review—one or two—this year. So watch out for that, too.
Filed under: Six Sigma, Six Sigma References, Study Guide, Tools/Toolkits
No Comments » |
How Six Sigma Quality and Statistical Tools Work
Posted by: meikah | 7 January 2008 | 9:41 pm
Six Sigma is the kind of methodology that you may or may not implement wholistically. If you think your organization is not ready or won’t really benefit from a full Six Sigma implementation, then you have the option to use its tools to improve your processes.
So how does the quality and statistical tools of Six Sigma work?
Valerie Bolhouse, writing for Vision Systems Design, shares some insights using the Windshield Project as an example.
Click here to read the article.
*Photo from Stock.Xchng
