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Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a methodology, a statistical analysis tool and a management system designed to streamline business processes by eliminating defects. The implementation of Six Sigma aims to improve and sustain quality, eliminate waste and increase profit. This is achieved by the:
- Reduction of variations in processess
- Measuring, analysis, improvement and control of processes
- Involvement and commitment of the whole organisation including top level management
Processes are measured and defects recorded, the objective of Six Sigma is to operate processes with less than 3.4 defects per one million opportunities. The implementation of these processes can enable huge savings for the organisation. Motorola claims that the implementation of Six Sigma saved the company in excess of 17 billion American dollars.
Originally developed for the manufacturing industry Six Sigma is now applied to the service industry. This means, however that rather than measuring manufacturing processes for defects, organisations need to look to their employees. Streamlining employee performance may cause problems; the human factor needs to be taken into consideration. It may look good on paper to have fewer employees serving more customers, but customer and employee satisfaction may suffer. To improve the Six Sigma system for the service industry, more emphasis is needs to be placed on:
- Understanding and managing customer needs
- Adapting business processes to meet those needs
- Using data analysis to minimise variation in those processes
- Using the above to quickly improve existing processes using sustainable practices
What’s in a name?
“Sigma” comes from statistics and means the measurement of varience. Mainly six sigma is about measuring defects (quality) and production time. There is a statistical scale for measuring this.
“Six” refers to the highest possible score on the scale (0 being the lowest score), this would be a defect score of 0.34% and and an on-time score of 99.966%
Six Sigma time and quality measurements methodology can be applied to all types of businesses that have customers, including service industies. Six Sigma tools allow organisations to assess and measure the quality of thier processes and improve delivery to the customer. this can be done incrementally one sigma level at a time.
If you would like to learn more about Six Sigma you could attend one of our many Six Sigma Training Courses. Our Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt training 2 day course provides delegates with an understanding of Lean Six Sigma tools and processes. For those who want to get stuck in and start to use Six Sigma Processes our Six Sigma Green Belt training course is the place to start.
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on June 26th, 2008 | 5 Comments »
From experience, large organisations such as Motorola have found that the use of metrics (statistics) alone is not enough to sustain the improvements over time. In order to achieve sustainable results the methodology must be linked to the overall organisational strategy. This is why it is necessary to implement Six Sigma from the top-down.
Those companies making the biggest savings have implemented Six Sigma practises throughout their organisation and fundamentally changed their management approach. These businesses train lots of people and make continuous improvement a way of life. Companies that have not applied Six Sigma throughout the organisation have not achieved the same level of benefits.
To learn more about Six Sigma you could attend one of our many Six Sigma Training Courses. Our Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt 2 day course teaches an understanding of Lean Six Sigma tools and processes. For those who want to use Six Sigma Processes within the organisation or business our Six Sigma Green Belt Course is the place to start.
In order for Six Sigma to produce maximum benefit:
- The overall business strategy must be aligned to the implementation of continuous improvement of processes
- Management teams must be created to govern crucial projects
- Drive the implementation of improvements to achieve the fastest possible results
- Monitor continued effort to sustain improvements
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on June 26th, 2008 | No Comments »
We offer a complete range of Six Sigma Management Training Courses.
The benefits of the Six Sigma Management system are:
- process flows are improved
- defects are reduced
- communication is Improved as the whole organisation works towards common goals
- cycle times are reduced
- customer satisfaction improved
- employee satisfaction improved
- productivity is increased
- capacity and output are improved
- quality is improved
- reliability of products and processes are improved
- unit costs decreased
- designs improved
- time to market is quicker
- better delivery time
Six Sigma enables organisations to become more effective and efficient. Organisations using the Six Sigma Management System improve their processes, efficiency, products, services and customer experience.
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on June 26th, 2008 | No Comments »
We offer a comprehensive range of Six Sigma Courses.
Roles in a Six Sigma Organisation
The success of the Six Sigma management process is dependant on senior executives, master black belts, black belts, and Six Sigma green belts working towards the same goals and understanding and implementing the process throughout the organisation.
A senior executive should bring the whole organisation into alignment and instigate changes necessary for Six Sigma’s ultimate success. The most successful Six Sigma projects all share in common clear, and committed leadership from top management. Six Sigma processes initiated at lower levels may show benefits but not dramatic and sustainable changes.
Managers who have been trained as Six Sigma Champions have a vital role to play in conducting and implementing Six Sigma projects. Champions will work closely with the executive committee including the assigned Six Sigma black belt and the master black belt.
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on October 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
Six Sigma Black Belts are usually full-time change agents and lead by making improvements to processes across multiple Six Sigma projects. He or she will be in charge of a team of Green Belts and will be mentored by a Master Black Belt.
To attain Six Sigma Black Belt level, we recommend that you first take Six Sigma Green Belt training, and then run at least one project at this level. If you are required to go on to Black Belt level, you can then take a Six Sigma Black Belt Conversion training course.
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on October 12th, 2007 | 1 Comment »
We provide a comprehensive 5-day Green Belt Course.
Six Sigma Green Belts usually work on large projects part-time. In many successful Six Sigma Organisations most of their managers have been trained to Six Sigma Green Belt level. In complicated Six Sigma projects, Green Belts work closely with the project SIx Sigma Black Belt to keep the team functioning together and monitor progression through the Six Sigma project.
Simpler projects may be lead by Six Sigma Green Belts and it is their responsibility to:
- Create or refine a project charter
- Discuss the project charter with the project champion
- Select project team members
- Liaise with the champion, master black belt, black belt, and process
- Facilitate the team through all phases of the project.
- Schedule meetings
- Coordinate logistics.
- Analyse data
- Train team members
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on October 12th, 2007 | 1 Comment »
A Six Sigma Master Black Belt takes a leadership role in the Six Sigma process. He/She will advise Senior Executives. He/she will oversee and offer direction for projects led by Six Sigma Black Belts and Green Belts. A Six Sigma Master Black Belt will have proven success leading Six Sigma projects. It is preferable, although not always possible, for organisations to develop their own Master Black Belts.
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on October 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
One of the strengths of Six Sigma is the structure of belts to show level of achievement and capability. In all cases the training should be backed up by real experience on projects and at Six Sigma Black Belt level this is mandatory.
White Belt Training
This is the most basic level and many people don’t recognise it. We would recommend a two day Introduction to Six Sigma Concepts and Processes. No prerequisites.
Yellow Belt Training
Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training is for somebody who is or going to be a Team Member so they need to understand the key processes and some of the basic tools. No prerequisites.
Green Belt Training
Six Sigma Green Belt training is for somebody who will be a Team Leader. They need to have a good understanding of the processes and many of the tools. They will understand a number of key statistical techniques but not be an expert in their application. This 5 day course is very intensive.
Black Belt Training
Six Sigma Black Belt training is for delegates who are leading or supporting Six Sigma projects on a continuous basis – it is their full time job. They may also be providing internal training programmes for Green Belts. They need to thoroughly understand Six Sigma processes and a wide range of statistical and process improvement tools.
Master Black
This is an executive level position that is advising the board on the development and implementation of Six Sigma across the organisation. Master Black Belts will also be managing the Black Belts, in some cases they will also train the Black Belts, they will have a lot of management expertise in addition to their expertise in all aspects of Lean Six Sigma.
In addition to the above Six Sigma training courses Silicon Beach Training can provide:
- Introduction to Lean Six Sigma Training (1 day) for delegates who require more information regarding what Lean Six Sigma is all about.
- Six Sigma for Champions and Executives Training (2 days). This covers the role of management in selecting, supporting and reviewing Lean Six Sigma projects.
- Bespoke training courses to address specific in-company requirements.
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Posted by Colin Welch in Six Sigma on October 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
