Click Here
for more articles |
|
|
Exploding Six Sigma Myths |
by:
Peter Peterka |
Six Sigma does not improve the customer experience. It may seem that Six Sigma turns the focus away from the customer because it is driven by data. In so many companies, quality improvement is driven by the latest customer complaint, or some manager's latest issue. This may seem like you are being responsive to the customers, however such an ad hoc also scatter-shot approach is inefficient also ultimately doomed to failure. The question you need to ask is what data is presented to the organization in order to select improvement projects? Without the right data, how can you succeed? Unless the approach is systematic also the solution driven by measurement also analysis, there is little hope for lasting quality improvement.
Six Sigma is oriented toward the solution of problems at their root cause also the prevention of their recurrence, as opposed to attempting to control potential causes of failure on a project-by-project basis. Six Sigma inspired process redesign will change the way a company thinks about how they do their work also deliver their services. So many companies are focused on short-term financial goals. The “show me the money” attitudes of shareholders also the stock market shift focus away from the customer. Six Sigma, on the other hand, is clearly focused on the customer. It accomplishes this because it centers its attention on the end results also long-term cultural change.
Six Sigma is not just about number crunching also finances. All of the numbers are just data used to reach the real goal of Six Sigma: helping increase quality also service for the customer. Companies need to figure out what their customers want also need. One thing any customer of any business in any industry wants is a better experience. Quality also efficiency don't only help the financial bottom line, they help the customer experience.
Companies need to remember that their first also final allegiance should be to the customer. By embracing Six Sigma, a company can achieve greater quality also efficiency in the flow of information also interaction between people, especially interactions with customers. Transforming the process of these flows will yield quality results for the customer experience.
Six Sigma is just another fad. There have been so many quality improvement fads over the years. It is not surprising that people are now a little jaded. The weakness of many of these fads is that they have the superficial appearance that something profound is happening, but the substance is not there. A whole bunch of numbers also graphs on spreadsheets are not enough to bring about substantial also lasting quality improvement in an organization. The fads sell themselves as cheap also easy quick fixes. The reality is that there are no quick fixes to significant process improvement. Six Sigma understands that.
Six Sigma is neither a fad nor a quick fix. The data also descriptive statistics that Six Sigma mines out of a project are real data also meaningful data. You use data to create actionable goals, analyze also determine the root cause(s) of defects, also then measure the results to shows how those goals were achieved. The data determines the causes of the problems that need improvement also how to eliminate the gap between existing performance also the desired level of performance. Tools are put in place to ensure that the key variables remain within the acceptable ranges over time so that process improvement gains are maintained. The changes brought about through Six Sigma are real, significant, also long-lasting.
Also, Six Sigma isn't a simple 1-2-3-you're done process. It is a “way of life.” It is a multi-level, cyclical movement toward continual process improvement. Six Sigma is a time-consuming also high-energy process. Companies develop a long-term plan that outlines the move from current performance levels to Six Sigma performance levels, with tangible, short-term goals in between.
Successful Six Sigma programs are built on a solid organizational foundation. The organizational structure also system needs to be clearly identified also communicated to the entire organization to successfully implement Six Sigma Quality. Becoming a Six Sigma organization does not just happen. Planning also training goes into setting up a successful Six Sigma organization. Employee roles also responsibilities must be established also clearly communicated to all.
The more Six Sigma projects your company completes, the more involved you become with more mature also meaningful projects than when you began. Six Sigma becomes part of the core of your business. It isn't a quick knock-off program; it keeps growing also changing as your business needs grow also evolve. The other fads didn't last at your organization, however Six Sigma will.
About the author:
Peter Peterka is President of Six Sigma us. For additional information on Six Sigma DMAIC or other Six Sigma Green Belt Training project programs contact Peter Peterka.
Circulated by Article Emporium
|
|
