One of the common challenges for a company’s information technology (IT) department is how to prioritize IT projects that can deliver the greatest benefits to the business. A criteria-based matrix can be an effective tool in prioritizing IT projects.
Six Sigma can be applied to software implementation projects as well as software development. Two project scenarios that feature common pain points provide examples of how Six Sigma can address software implementation issues.
Dr. Mikel Harry answers the question, “How can Six Sigma be applied to the Human Resources (HR) function?”
The same methods (Lean Six Sigma) which transformed manufacturing and transactional processes into smooth, high efficiency processes also will work in software and IT, if adapted to recognize the differences in these processes.
Although the availability numbers IT providers give might be numerically correct, they may not be a true representation of the real business situation. For more accurate predictions, use the outside in and rolled throughput approaches.
Dispute resolution has become a popular way to identify the root cause of a problem and to build a solution strategy – both in and out of the business world. The three resolution processes are facilitation, mediation and arbitration.
Human resources (HR) professionals who have a background or education in basic project management are a valuable commodity to their company. Being well versed in an improvement methodology, such as Six Sigma, is an even bigger plus.
Value stream analysis can uncover activities that add waste to a typical help desk organization. Then that analysis can lead to the implementation of a Lean Six Sigma help desk design, along with the necessary tools to ensure success.
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Framework is a set of best practices that facilitate delivery of high quality IT services. Combined with Six Sigma, ITIL serves as a model that prompts organizations to use maximum synergy.
In order to objectively analyze and take corrective action in instances where the best improvement project is not immediately visible, assigning severity, failure effect and end effect numbers to each option may help practitioners make the next move.
In software and IT projects most failures are related to the lack of an understanding of what the customer really expects the system to do (operational requirements) and why (business results). But a program like Six Sigma can resolve many issues.
Applying both the Information Technology Infrastructure Library and Six Sigma to the many requirements businesses are considering information technology (IT) functions can help IT units provide the best value to their companies and their customers.
Implementing the "virtuous cycle" can help a business ensure that its IT organization can best fulfill its challenge of driving most of the process improvements in throughout the business as well as improving its own processes.
Business leaders who want to enjoy the benefits of the combined methodologies and frameworks of ITIL, CMMI and Six Sigma need a clear implementation roadmap — a roadmap that highlights the sequence of key tasks along the path of integration.
Effective resource planning is an important part of any process improvement program, including those in IT. Formalizing processes and developing measurement systems helps to determine the value of internal projects from a human capital perspective.
Six Sigma initiatives will increasingly focus their solutions on information systems. With a strong partnership between Six Sigma and IT, organizations can make more informed investment decisions about process improvement projects.
Recapping some of the successes that have been achieved with Six Sigma in IT and describing some of the IT activities to which Six Sigma can be applied, should clearly answer the question “Does Six Sigma apply to IT?” with a resounding “yes!”
Human resources is no different than any other aspect of a business in being able to deliver Six Sigma projects with significant financial benefits to the company. Projects are directed toward the internal customer or toward the external customer.
Six Sigma leaders often tout the benefits of Six Sigma concepts, tools and approaches for Six Sigma projects. Incorporating Six Sigma tools into every day software development and IT processes will also result in better products and greater success.
How does an organization start the process of driving change, without investing significant time in resource-intensive assessments to establish a quantitative baseline and measure subsequent performance progress? The answer may lie in web technology.
Satisfied employees can be a factor in the struggle to gain market share, to deliver customer delight, to innovate and to deliver a better bottom line. Using Six Sigma can not only improve morale, it can help assess employee satisfaction levels.
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