Tips For Managing Six Sigma
July 6th, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized — Business Author
Top management, process owners, the shop floor and even the internal and external customers need to be managed in Six Sigma projects.
Ensure Commitment of Top Management
The most important factor is ensuring the commitment of project leaders and top management.
If top management is convinced about the utility of a Six Sigma project, then they will undertake responsibilities that are important for the success of the Six Sigma project. They have to ensure that as the project progresses the project is aligned to the business’ goals and objectives.
They should be in a position to plan resources and remove roadblocks in the planned project. They should also be well aware about the capabilities about the Six Sigma team members and those who are good prospects for Six Sigma positions.
Well-Trained Champions
Company leadership should also be imparted with appropriate amount of training, which they will utilize in reaping good benefits from the project. The Six Sigma project Champions should be trained in Six Sigma tools and techniques.
They should be well-equipped to help other team members is difficult situations.
Selecting Six Sigma Experts
For any Six Sigma project, a good consultant or Six Sigma expert from the organization itself is of great relevance. Company leadership has to make a decision that would be best for the organization.
The Six Sigma Project Plan
A Six Sigma project cannot turn out well without proper planning. An operating plan for the next year also helps in providing proper input into the project as required.
Return on Investment
When the project team defines and allocates resources diligently, the return on investment on training can even go up – sometimes even as much as 20 times.
Certification Process
The certification process should be well-designed and a rigorous one. As part of the training, when projects are undertaken and completed successfully, a certification can be given.
Benefits accrued from such project experience is highly beneficial, and certification is more meaningful as a result.
Financial Validation of the Project
For the project’s success, it is necessary that the finance department also plays an active role and ensures financial validation of projects by way of control metrics and tools in the Control phase.
These control metrics should also be in place even after project implementation, as sustaining the improvements done is important.
Six Sigma is Not Just the Work of the Quality Leaders
Six Sigma projects should be planned and managed such that all the members of the organization should be involved in this process of improvement.
Mentoring Processes
Having a mentoring process plays a very important role in project management. Mentoring should be structured as follows:
-Champions to Master Black Belts
-Master Black Belts to Black Belts
-Black Belts to Green Belts
With proper guidance from the higher levels to lower levels, additional experience is always beneficial for the organization.
Managing a Six Sigma project is highly important for the success of the project and the benefits to be accrued from the process improvements can be realized.
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions – Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
