How to implement Six Sigma in your organization

Posted by Taggart on October 8th, 2018

Most of us know that Six Sigma is a set of tools and techniques used for improving business processes. The core tool of this methodology is DMAIC (an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control). This tool uses data to improve, optimize and stabilize multiple business processes. Interestingly, this tool is also used for improving other applications and is not just restricted to 6-Sigma. Process improvement through 6-Sigma has benefited scores of organizations across the world.

Implementation of the 6-Sigma methodology in an organization is far simpler than what you think. To get started, you will need executive sponsorship – the top management needs to realize that this methodology needs to form part of the business practice and strategy of the organization. Once the sponsorship is in place, the other steps will follow. When the top management is sold out on the idea, there is lesser opposition that is faced.

The next stage of the process is to allocate resources. The management needs to identify promising employees who will work on the process improvements. It is important to ensure that employees from all levels of the organizations are nominated for process improvements.

The nominated employees now need to undergo training. The training should be conducted by professionals so that the participants gain the required knowledge and skills that are required for process improvements. The training starts at the top manager level to educate the participants about the impact of the methodology on business success. Projects are also identified to achieve the goals of the business. The middle managers are trained to champion and sponsor the projects. These managers are also trained to ensure that they are able to communicate the organization's vision of process improvement. The projects are mentored by black belts because they are usually in leadership positions and are aware of the organization's culture. The project team members are trained on the various tools and data gathering processes and they are mentored to work on the projects.

During the course of the training, the nominated employees are certified. As one gathers more experience working on the projects, they go up the hierarchy and are given more complex projects to handle, either as team members or leaders. They are the ones who are able to implement the DMAIC tool to improve those processes that were not working for the organization.

The training is conducted in a highly flexible manner so that the Business as usual (BAU) processes are not impacted. The training lasts for a few weeks and conducted using classroom and online programs. The nominated employees are also encouraged to go through webinars and seminars to improve their knowledge and to be able to put theory in practice.

To implement Six Sigma in your organization, you need a professional partner to help you through and through. Your partner will not only train your employees, but also constantly mentor the project teams so that the end objective is achieved. Once the projects start running, the improvements can be seen in a short span of time.

Once you partner with a professional for Six Sigma training, DMAIC can be initiated for process improvement.