Six Sigma Forum

Re: Six Sigma for Employee Morale

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:16:35 CST

by George Efthyvoulos.

Very thorough summarization. Just keep in mind that after you have presented your case the decision is up to the Department head. If they takes your advice it would show that he does have some qualities that just need to brought forth. If they decide to do nothing and not even address the root issue you have discovered, there is not much you can do without breaking the chain of command or contanting HR. Six Sigma is only as effective as the individuals implimenting it.

May i suggest a job change, or just figure out a way to keep your morals up. I don not say this antagonistically, I was recently in a similar situation and those were the two best options I could find.

Re: kaizen

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:34:23 CST

by VAIBHAV VATS.

Kaizen stands for "countinuous improvement" in process..It's a tool from TPS .

I came across a very basic example in a case study of manufacturing plant.

Problem was that during assembly of parts there were racks for each part, from which employees take parts and assemble..

It was seen that by giving proper training of emloyee to take 2 steps in 1.4 sec The quality 7 sec could be saved...
so They were trained for that and time was saved ..

Then
They started using mobile racks.....and saving more time ..

After some time they realized that emloyees generally take one part at a time that is to be assembled next ,from rack and rack is to be moved again for next part...so they were advised to take as many parts as they can easily keep around them and work efficiently....so it saved more time.

Hence, A process can be improved continuously.

Re: Can six sigma create employement opportunity to some individuals?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:12:43 CST

by Sumit Kaushal.

My personel opinion based upon six sigma projects i had completed is that possibilty of creation of employment is based upon type of process on which six sigma method is implemented.

In case of Production Processes possibilty of same is more than of BPO / KPO / ITES process in which possibilty of elimination of excess resources is more.

Rgds

Sumit

Re: How long six sigma can be accepted as a benchmark ???

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:01:37 CST

by Sumit Kaushal.

Dear Vaibhav,

In response to your query below are my personal opinions :-

1. Six Sigma methodology doesn't limit to reduce errors upto 3.4 in million opputunities, used DMAIC we can target 7 -12 Sigma values as well and practically could achieve the same (Primary in PRoduction Processes only).

2. Following Six Sigma and Controlling Process Sigma values are two seprate things, Normally achieving target values is not that diffulicult than maintaing performance consistently at desired levels and one who does it always would have edge over competitors.

3. Quality and Improvements are on going activities and could never have an end.

Rgds

Sumit

How long six sigma can be accepted as a benchmark ???

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:53:56 CST

by VAIBHAV VATS.

With increasing customer needs every day...and every competitor following six sigma methodology..what's the next step that can be taken to satisfy customer and maintain profits as well.

Re: Benifits of six sigma

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:38:01 CST

by Ashok Mahajan.

Benefits of Six Sigma

Those organizations that implement Six Sigma correctly achieve significant benefits that contribute to competitive advantage and to changing the culture in an organization from reactive problem solving to proactive problem prevention. Specifically the proven benefits include:

For the organization

Bottom line cost savings (5%-20% of turnover per annum)
Improved quality of product or service as perceived by the customer (internal and external customers)
Reduction in process cycle times
Development of staff skills
Common language throughout the organization
World class standard

For the individual

Improved knowledge and skills
Ability to use a wide range of tools and techniques
A status that is recognized world wide

Re: Comparison iso 9001 and Six Sigma

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:07:35 CST

by Markus Fischer.

Dear George,

thank you very much for your detailed answer.

I think that introduction of Six Sigma might be a good step to implement ISO 9001 because it makes the employees aware of quality issues and the cost saving effects you could get with process improvements. Additionally the employees will get used to statistic methods and tools to identify and improve certain processes throughout the organization. This makes it much easier to implement ISO in the next step, which will then lead to an international accepted, certified quality management system.

Re: What are the costs associated when implementing six sigma in the firm?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:33:53 CST

by Markus Fischer.

I guess the main costs in the beginning are to train the staff / employees and then the costs for establishing the system within the organization. These costs depend on the size of the company / organization.

After this basic investment there will be the costs for the project and the working time of the team (usually the cost saving effect is much higher than the costs for the project itself).

Compared to ISO9001 ther are no costs for certification and recertification of the quality management system.

Unfortunately I can't give you a precise figure for these initial cost, because this depends on the size of the organization and the number of employees which have to be trained and the level they should be trained.

Re: Related With Health care sector, Please Help

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:29:04 CST

by viola kumari.

Hi, I am viola here. Yes definitely six sigma can help a health care sector. Infact it is an important place where six sigma has to be implemented. We can give maximum satisfaction to the customer by finding out the minutest defects, which we may not even think it could be a defect and improve the quality of the hopsital.

If you want to have a detailed discussion on that please let me know.

Re: What is Quality?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:19:33 CST

by viola kumari.

I am viola here. I have seen your question regarding quality and few definitions as aswer. Definitions are available in so many dictionaries and related books. But I feel you really want to know what is quality in practical.

Quality of a product or process starts from the lower authority to the top authority. We cannot achieve just by some auditor coming and inspecting the company and finding the defects and ofcourse using six sigma DMAIC and other tools.

For example take a hospital. The quality starts from the ambulance service, inside ambulance first aid fcilities,parking place, security,reception counter, the helpers,etc etc to the top the director of the organization. If we can find the defects from the lower step ot the higher step even the minutest mistakes which effects the customer(patients and the people who are bringing the patients) I think we can bring in the maximum quality. Six sigma has to be implemented in every inch of the organization. Hope you will agree with me.

Re: Six Sigma Vs Lean Sigma

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:38:42 CST

by MuhammadFarooq Khan.

Six Sigma concept implies to the fact that it basically removes the Variation either in the Product or in the Process where as Lean sigma refers to the fact that it removes the waste (Unwanted materials) in the Product or in the Process.

In Lean Sigma we make sure that all the necessary steps and tasks that adds a value to the Customer are taken, because adding value is another crucial way of satisfying customers and generating revenue if it is not generating revenue then surely it is costing money and vice versa.

The famous five steps in assessing lean sigma operations are as follows:-

1. Identify all the tasks, procedures and activities that adds or create value.

2. Determine the sequence or rhythm of activities also called by many authors in the books as

“Value Stream or Value Chain Stream”.

3. Remove immediately all the tasks , procedures and all other unnecessary things that are

Not adding value to the Product or the process.

4. Allow the Customer to pull products or services.

5. Always try to focus on the Process and try to Continuously improve it as quality is a

Continuous process.

Lean Sigma is basically applicable when we are familiar with problem’s solution or we can

Say that when we have a known solution. Another important point to remember is that Lean

Sigma Operations are mostly used when we have a slow growth , low revenue and a non

Math business Organization, this means Lean sigma doesn’t use any mathematical tools or

Statistical tools it basically uses Flow chart methods, Visuals , Value stream mapping to

Understand the process flows and characteristics.

On the other hand Six sigma methodology believes in the fact that variation should ideally

be neglibile in the Product or in the process.

The famous five steps in assessing Six sigma Operations are “DMAIC” which we all know i-e

Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control.

Six sigma unlike Lean Sigma works well for Complex problems , when root cause of the

Problem is unknown. It is applied when we have a fast growth , high revenue and a more

Business oriented environment.

Six Sigma uses Mathematical tools, Stastical tools, etc for solving the Problems.

In shortly we can say that in any company or in Organization both these techniques work side by side and they ultimately led to the better quality of the product or the Process .

Where six sigma falls short?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:31:45 CST

by Sameer Uttarwar.

According to me, six sigma eliminate defects but falls short on optimizing process flow.

Re: When will Six Sigma not work?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:46:25 CST

by VAIBHAV VATS.

I agree with both of you,: Six sigma works on understanding as-is process finding gap in comparison to six sigma benchmark and bridging the gap.There might be n number of changes that are required to get to goal ..

Cost of implementing six sigma depends on n i.e.(no. of changes)
More will be the changes more costly implementation will be , but management can't avoid necessary changes to avoid cost or due to any other reason once we have successfully implemented six sigma it could be maintained at minimal cost and it's implementation cost can be recovered in short time .So cost should never be a issue for implementing "It's a one time expense to cut your whole life expenditures"

Re: How we can implement Six Sigma in the company?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:25:48 CST

by VAIBHAV VATS.

Six sigma services can be implemented in a company under the supervision of black belts....they can be hired to provide training to your other staff else there are many consulting firms that can be used to outsource quality Assurance Process..I myself work with a firm that provides similar services.

Re: Is Six Sigma applicable to managing people?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:45:48 CST

by sudhakaran kandaamy.

The six sigma will not help to manage a people or persons, this help improve your quality of work, product, stability & capability.

How to relate the PDCA & DMAIC ?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:41:49 CST

by sudhakaran kandaamy.

When there is need for analysis to identify the problem, there will be need for improvements, then need to control (stable) – how this terms to be related to gather to find a better solution?

Re: '''INTRODUCE YOURSELF....''''''

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:06:09 CST

by Sumit Kaushal.

[FuLL NaMe] :- Sumit Kaushal
[City/Country] :- Chandigarh / India
[Designation] :- Manager SDQ
[Yrs of Exp] :- 9

[Organization/Company] :-Spice Bpo

Re: '''INTRODUCE YOURSELF....''''''

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:56:22 CST

by Raja Ghosh.

[FuLL NaMe] :- Raja Ghosh
[City/Country] :- Kolkata/India
[Designation] :- Problem Management Specialist/Service Quality management
[Yrs of Exp] :-9

[Organization/Company] :- The Linde Group

Does Sig Sigma helps in ITIL process improvement

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:56:43 CST

by Raja Ghosh.

I am working in Service Quality Management department as a problem management specialist. My company follows ITIL process framework in managing operational issues.Can Six Sigma methodology helps in strengthening the ITIL proess?

Re: Comparison iso 9001 and Six Sigma

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:54:23 CST

by George Efthyvoulos.

ISO is based on total control of a production operation from labeling every piece of equipment to managing acceptable non-conforming percentages. It focuses on eliminating errors through pre-established control systems and 100% product tracking. When a company becomes ISO they must conform to the specific ISO standards set forth. With ISO quality is expected, however there are systems to fix unforseen errors.

Pros- Pre-established quality systems to ensure customer satisfaction.

Cons- Expensive, requires change throughout the entire company, might require procedures that are excessive to your specific requirements.

However,

Six Sigma is based on managing resources to reduce non-conformances and satisfy standards set forth by customers to the tune of only 34 non-conformaties per 1,000,000,000. Six Sigma addresses quality issues as they arise and relies on Six Sigma managers to fix problems and establish different procedures. When a company adopts Six Sigma they must specially train managment to establish and adapt control systems.

Pros- Only requirement is that managers undergo specific training and adapt Six Sigma methodology; does not require procedural change until change is requested by Six Sigma Managment.

Cons- Quality of product depents directly on Six Sigma managment; managers must be ahead of the curve and forsee problems for procedure to adapt. Six Sigma can only address issues that can be evaluated numerically

Re: What is DMAIC?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:43:02 CST

by Kristine Azurin.

Define

Measure

Analuze

Improve

Control

Is Six Sigma applicable to managing people?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:37:02 CST

by Kristine Azurin.

What company is using Six Sigma as an approach to persons?

Read please all you pros!!! Question regards to Education background and the real world!

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:34:37 CST

by J J.

Hi guys,

I am just wondering what kind of educational background and what type of career field you are in today?

I have a marketing degree and I am thinking about to get a MBA and I would like to get some advice on what type of MBA that I should get if I want to utilize Six Sigma (Minitab software) ?

Can anyone get Six Sigma certified just by reading books or you must attend those expensive classes which could easily cost you an arm or leg?

Re: What is DMAIC?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:51:10 CST

by Sapna Srivastva.

D-Define
M-Measure
A-Analyze
I- Improve
C-Control

How we can implement Six Sigma in the company?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:47:57 CST

by Sapna Srivastva.

How we can implement a Quality department or Six Sigma in a company?