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Six Sigma & Quality Article Archive
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Quality Spotlight Archive | Management Spotlight Archive | Tools Spotlight Archive Readers' Choice: View All Top-Rated Articles Archives by Year: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 - DMAIC Versus DMADV
DMAIC and DMADV are two Six Sigma methodologies that eliminate defects from a process or product. Learn about DMAIC and DMADV and when it is most appropriate to use each methodology. Read the full article. December 31, 2001
- Use The "Right" Six Sigma Tool
Six Sigma quality tools should work towards your specific need, not force you to modify your behaviors based on rules for using the tools. Learn how to modify some tools to make them work for you. Read the full article. December 17, 2001
- Three Tips For Implementing Quality
Three high-level steps to help successfully implement Quality within your organization or business. Read the full article. December 10, 2001
- Meeting Action Item Planning Worksheet
Ensure project progress by assigning and tracking follow-up action items and tasks. Use this free meeting action item planning worksheet. Read the full article. December 3, 2001
- Are You Selecting The Right Six Sigma Projects?
Need help selecting a Six Sigma quality improvement project? Whether it's a green belt, black belt or team based quality improvement project, you need to make sure you select the best one for the business...or the consequences can be dire. Read the full article. November 25, 2001
- P Values and Statistical Significance
Remembering the statistical significance of the P Value is always tough. Learn from your peers and use this simple saying to remember the significance of P Values forever. Read the full article. November 19, 2001
- Quantify the Benefits of Six Sigma Projects
Create Six Sigma project charters that are compelling to business leaders by capturing all quantifiable benefits of eradicating a business problem. This checklist will help you do so. Read the full article. November 12, 2001
- Make Valid Control Chart and Subgroup Assumptions
Four real world case studies that display how incorrect assumptions can lead to invalid control charts and improper statistical process control (SPC). Don't make these same control chart and subgrouping mistakes. Read the full article. November 5, 2001
- Six Sigma In Education
In education, Six Sigma pertains to improving the quality of matter taught, the character generated of the pupils, and the quality of study and school life. It is a system by which principals and teachers can instill process excellence across the entire organization. Read the full article. October 29, 2001
- Get A GRPI On Six Sigma Teams
Among the challenges that face Black Belts and Green Belts today is the ability to frame the project into a clearly understood action plan. One tool that I have enjoyed success with in meeting this challenge is to use the GRPI model for framing the project. Read the full article. October 22, 2001
- Develop Correct Six Sigma Project Metrics
One of the crucial elements of the project charter in the define phase of a Six Sigma project is the selection of project metrics. Proper project metrics should reflect more than just business and customer measurables. Read the full article. October 8, 2001
- Six Sigma Case Study: Converting Paper to Electronic Documents
A case study describing how a process was digitized (converting paper documents into electronic documents) to produce fewer defects through the use of Six Sigma tools. Read the full article. October 1, 2001
- Building Team Consensus
Consensus building is needed to help the team determine the relative importance of topics, issues or problems. Consensus is a technique that allows everyone on the team to equally play an active role in determining the group's final decision. Read the full article. September 24, 2001
- Six Sigma Versus Terrorism
We at iSixSigma are saddened by the tragic events of September 11. We grieve for those who fell in harm's way, pray for the families who mourn the loss of loved ones, and are grateful to the heroes who are contributing to the ongoing relief efforts. Below are a few posts from fellow quality professionals that have touched the hearts of the iSixSigma staff. Read the full article. September 17, 2001
- Design For Six Sigma Roadmap
Building a Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) roadmap for the development of products is no easy task. A fellow reader helps by displaying the sequential use of tools for the development of robust products. Read the full article. September 10, 2001
- Finding and Selecting Good Six Sigma Projects
What Six Sigma projects should you be working on? This article presents the obvious, as well as some not so obvious, areas for improvement, followed by Six Sigma project guidelines and examples. Read the full article. September 3, 2001
- What Is Six Sigma Certification?
What is Six Sigma certification? How can I get Six Sigma certified? Where can I get Six Sigma certified? Is Six Sigma certification transferable if I leave a company for another? This article will help answer these questions regarding the ubiquitous and confusing Six Sigma certification. Read the full article. August 27, 2001
- Six Sigma Via Context
Some business documents are nearly meaningless due to lack of context. Every Quality document should be fully self-contained or reference applicable context elsewhere. Learn more about adding context to your content to achieve exponential gains. Read the full article. August 20, 2001
- Customer CTQs - Defining Defect, Unit and Opportunity
In order for any process capability to accurately be calculated, one must properly define and quantify the process defect, unit and opportunity of a customer CTQ. This article defines the three terms, as well as provides examples. Read the full article. August 13, 2001
- Process Capability (Cp, Cpk) and Process Performance (Pp, Ppk) - What is the Difference?
Six Sigma process performance is reported in terms of Sigma. But the statistical measurements of Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk may provide more insight into the process. Learn the definitions, interpretations and calculations for Cp, Cpk, Pp and Ppk. Read the full article. August 6, 2001
- How to Calculate Process Sigma
Calculating your process sigma can be accomplished in 5 simple steps. Here they are presented with an example and all the yield to sigma tables and tools you will ever need. Read the full article. July 30, 2001
- What Makes Six Sigma Work?
Consultants are earning seven figure salaries, CEOs are claiming billions of dollars saved, conferences are popping up everywhere, and yet one can argue that Six Sigma is not much different than TQM. Is Six Sigma just the latest management buzzword or is Six Sigma a Quality Management program that really works? What makes Six Sigma work? Read the full article. July 23, 2001
- Six Sigma Tollgate Review Questions
Are you preparing for a tollgate review of your Six Sigma project? Are you interested in learning about the rigor of Six Sigma? Learn what questions are necessary to answer in each phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. Read the full article. July 16, 2001
- Six Sigma DMAIC Quick Reference Sheets
Six Sigma DMAIC quick reference sheets to help you prepare for your milestone/tollgate reviews. Review deliverables, checkpoints, key questions, and useful tools for each DMAIC phase. Read the full article. July 9, 2001
- Six Sigma Project Review Sample Agenda
Make successful Six Sigma project tollgate reviews a reality with proper preparation. Learn the the four most important aspects of the project review agenda, and make a milestone checklist out of the options. Read the full article. July 2, 2001
- What Is A Stable Process?
Process stability is one of the most important concepts of any quality improvement methodology. Stable processes involve achieving consistent and, ultimately, higher process yields through the application of an improvement methodology. Learn more about stability. Read the full article. June 25, 2001
- Six Sigma Curriculum and Body of Knowledge
The Six Sigma methodology encompases everything from project management to statistics. Are you ready for Master Black Belt, Black Belt or Green Belt certification? Learn the appropriate body of knowledge for each level of your organization. Read the full article. June 18, 2001
- Employee Empowerment As A Management Style
Good Quality leaders rely on the strengths of employees. Learn how to solve business issues by asking a simple question and empowering employees. Read the full article. June 11, 2001
- Calculating the Cost and Savings of Six Sigma Quality
One of the most distinct differences between Six Sigma and other quality management systems is the link to business finances. For the greatest business benefit, calculate financial benefit before, during and after. Read the full article. June 3, 2001
- Pareto Chart, Bar Chart, Histogram and the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)
Learn when it's appropriate to use a pareto chart, histogram and bar chart, and what the differences are. Also read the history of Vilfredo Pareto and the Pareto Principle. Read the full article. May 27, 2001
- Successful Six Sigma Project Reviews
Project reviews serve to evaluate the project plan or status relative to the plan initially set forth by the team in the project charter. You, as the team leader, need to ensure that certain benefits are achieved from the project review. Read the full article. May 20, 2001
- Know Your Customer
Only by using the appropriate information source can you begin to truly know your customer and understand your customer needs. Read about all the possible information sources that are available that you may already have access to. Read the full article. May 13, 2001
- Building a Sound Data Collection Plan
Everything you need to develop a sound data collection plan and gather reliable and statistically valid data in the DMAIC measurement phase, including a sample data collection plan! Read the full article. April 22, 2001
- Six Sigma Opportunity Counting
The nature of Six Sigma opportunity counting and related metrics like DPMO and sigma levels can be confusing. This article contains ideas to help with opportunities and defect counting on your Six Sigma project. Read the full article. April 15, 2001
- Effective Brainstorming
Brainstorming DOs and DONTs to ensure an effective session. Read the full article. April 1, 2001
- Is Six Sigma Just For Large Companies? What About Small Companies?
Almost all Quality professionals have heard of the benefits of Six Sigma Quality. Companies like GE, Motorola, and AlliedSignal have already saved billions of dollars with their Six Sigma Quality initiatives. But is Six Sigma for small companies as well? Yes and No -- read the requirements and decide for yourself. Read the full article. March 25, 2001
- Bank Deposits: A Black Belt Case Study
A case study of how a Black Belt used Six Sigma tools to define, measure, analyze and improve a transactional bank deposit process, resulting in yearly savings of $4MM. Read the full article. March 18, 2001
- Revisited: The 1.5 Sigma Process Shift Explanation
Learn what your colleagues have to say about the 1.5 sigma shift. Why is 6 sigma 3.4 ppm, not 2 ppb? Why would you apply Motorola's 1.5 sigma shift to your processes? Read the full article. March 11, 2001
- A Project Charter Communication Strategy Is Essential
Six Sigma Black Belts, Master Black Belts, and Project Champions, when embarking on a DMAIC, DMADV, or Process Management project, need to be aware of the importance of establishing a communication plan when developing and validating a team charter. A finely executed Black Belt project can suffer disappointing results if an efficient mechanism is not already in place to ensure that vital information is relayed to those members who need it. Read the full article. March 4, 2001
- Six Sigma Training
Training is one of the most important factors that contributes to and helps modify and shape a Six Sigma culture. This article will help identify who in your organization is required to be trained and what type of training they should receive. Read the full article. February 25, 2001
- Six Sigma Project Charter
A project charter is the first step in the Six Sigma methodology. Don't start a project without having your project charter defined -- it will help lead you to successful completion. Included are downloadable templates for your use. Read the full article. February 18, 2001
- Defining Quality
The Quality profession has always been about improving processes, products and services. Putting together a clear, articulate definition for the work we do sometimes requires a little work. Here are a few definitions -- post your thoughts. Read the full article. February 11, 2001
- Six Sigma Q&A
Get answers to all your Six Sigma Questions with this list of frequently asked questions. Read the full article. February 4, 2001
- Six Sigma Organizational Architecture
Successful Six Sigma Quality programs are built on a solid organizational foundation. The organizational structure and rewards/recognition system needs to be clearly identified and communicated to successfully implement Six Sigma Quality. Read the full article. January 28, 2001
- What is Six Sigma?
If you're new to Six Sigma - here's a primer. Six Sigma resources for quickly learning and successfully implementing Six Sigma Quality within your organization. Read the full article. January 21, 2001
- Why Hire A Six Sigma Consultant?
When it comes to implementing quality within your business, many feel they have or should have the power to effect change themselves. Sometimes, however, a Six Sigma consultant might be best to help lead the change. Here's why. Read the full article. January 15, 2001
- 1.5 Sigma Process Shift Explanation
Why is 6 sigma 3.4 ppm, not 2 ppb? The calculation of process sigma after a process improvement project should be reported as short-term sigma. This article explains why and how to perform the calculation. Read the full article. January 7, 2001
- Statistical Six Sigma Definition
The Six Sigma methodology is well rooted in statistics and statistical mathematics. Learn why six standard deviations is worthwhile for your organization to measure. Read the full article. January 1, 2001
- Process Sigma Calculator
Calculate your process sigma with this handy calculator. Read the full article. January 1, 2001
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