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Six
Sigma Explained
GOAL OF SIX SIGMA: "Bottom-line" financial improvement
BENEFITS OF SIX SIGMA: Productivity increases, cycle time reduction, higher throughput, reduced defects, high levels of outgoing quality, standardized improvement methodology across the organization, a set of techniques and tools to simplify improvement efforts, greater customer satisfaction and dramatic improvement in the "bottom-line".
DESCRIPTION OF SIX SIGMA: Using the popular Six Sigma definition, it is a statistical measure of quality, 3.4 defects per million or 99.99966% good quality. Although zero defects is the goal, as a measure Six Sigma will drive a firm toward achieving higher levels of customer satisfaction and reducing operational costs. Six Sigma is a robust continuous improvement strategy and process that includes cultural methodologies such as Total Quality Management (TQM), process control strategies such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other important statistical tools. It uses a structured systems approach to problem solving and strongly links initial improvement goal targets to bottom-line results.
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SIX SIGMA FAQ's:
IS SIX SIGMA APPLIED ONLY TO TOUCHABLE PRODUCTS?
Absolutely not.............it should be applied to all business processes in a company.
WHAT TYPE OF FIRM SEEKS SIX SIGMA PERFORMANCE?
Firms who are progressing to or have achieved Six Sigma already include: GE, Motorola, Allied Signal, Polaroid and Sony among others. Many other enlightened companies are starting Six Sigma programs. Adopters have reported significant annual savings attributed to their Six Sigma efforts. Suppliers to such companies will, themselves, have to aim for Six Sigma quality as well.
HOW DOES SIX SIGMA FIT WITH TRADITIONAL "QUALITY INITIATIVES"?
Six Sigma is complementary to other initiatives such as ISO 9000 registration, which is mainly procedural; Total Quality Management (TQM), which is mainly cultural and Statistical Process Control (SPC), which is primarily statistical process control monitoring. All of these initiatives attempt to improve quality levels but typically reach a plateau. The Six Sigma approach goes to the next level.
WHAT IS SIX SIGMA BLACKBELT TRAINING?
This is specific and tailored training on the understanding of the Six Sigma process and the utilization of six sigma tools. The student will be trained in the methodology and tools use through real projects with bottom-line impact on the firm's profitability.
WHAT IS A GREENBELT, BLACKBELT, MASTER BLACKBELT AND SIX SIGMA CHAMPION?
Black Belt: An individual trained in the Six Sigma methodology and experienced leading cross-functional process improvement action teams.
Green Belt: An individual trained in the Six Sigma methodology who is a team member of six sigma process improvement action teams.
Master Black Belt: An individual trained in the Six Sigma methodology who acts as the organization-wide Six Sigma program manager. He oversees Blackbelts and process improvement projects and provides guidance to Blackbelts as required. A Master Blackbelt teaches other six sigma students and helps them achieve Greenbelt and Blackbelt status.
Six Sigma Champion: Usually a top executive or senior manager who "talks the talk" and "walks the walk" of Six Sigma. He is the catalyst and driving force behind the organization's Six Sigma implementation.
He/she has the "ear" of the executive management.
SIGNIFICANT ELEMENTS OF THE SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGY::
1. Standardized Process Improvement Methodology.
2. Use of Descriptive Statistics to Describe and Analyze Process Data.
3. Measurement Systems Analysis to Identify Measurement System Contributions to Total Process Variation.
4. Six Sigma Measures (Metrics) to Standardize the Improvement Methodology Across an Organization.
5. Design of Experiments (DOE) to Screen for Important Factors and Optimize Process Performance.
6. Process Control (SPC) and Capability (Cpk).
Six Sigma Blackbelt training will
allow you to answer questions similar to those found below:
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sigma knowledge
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