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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: 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 - Learning to Think Lean: Six Steps with Review Points
Organizations can profit from learning to think in terms of Lean, a philosophy that aims to eliminate waste mainly by shortening the time between the customer order and shipment. Lean thinking can be outlined in six steps, and confirmed with review. Read the full article. December 31, 2007
- Seeing Red: Integrating Balanced Scorecard and Six Sigma
The Balanced Scorecard enables an organization to maintain the perspective of various stakeholders while providing a complete assessment of organizational progress. It can help improve the performance in one area without harming another. Read the full article. December 24, 2007
- Teaching DOE Using Formula Fuelers Toy Motorcycles
Teaching DOE to DFSS trainees offers challenges on how best to transfer knowledge. Needed are constant and accurate results in examples used, reasonable material costs and instructional techniques to keep class interest. Solution: A toy motorcycle. Read the full article. December 17, 2007
- Net Promoter Score: A Number for Business to Grow By
Net promoter scores (NPSs) are an economical and concise way to assess how loyal a company’s customers are. Managing that metric is the key to future growth. Companies using NPS must narrow their focus and consider the influence of value. Read the full article. December 10, 2007
- 10 Ways to Failure for a New Six Sigma Deployment
A Six Sigma initiative can be wildly successful or it can sadly fail. The reasons are found in 10 major points critical to the success of a Six Sigma deployment. The points also are in the list of the 10 ways that a Six Sigma initiative can fail. Read the full article. December 3, 2007
- Six Habits of the Highly Effective Master Black Belt
The achievement of Six Sigma objectives is often proportional to the competence of an organization's Six Sigma Master Black Belts. But competence needs regular practice, as outlined in six habits of highly effective Master Black Belts. Read the full article. November 26, 2007
- Measuring the Training Options for Lean Six Sigma
Training methods necessary to implement Lean Six Sigma and related methodologies vary widely, but the choices narrow when measured against the needs of an organization. Candidates and companies should consider a number of factors. Read the full article. November 19, 2007
- Making the Best Use of Process Improvement Consulting
The model of internal business consulting for quality improvements that works best is one that judiciously combines internal and external resources. The overall strategy is outlined by the internal consulting group, whatever that initiative is titled. Read the full article. November 5, 2007
- Improving Lean Six Sigma Process with Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma is used to address a variety of processes. Why not the Lean Six Sigma process itself? Lean Six Sigma can be applied to minimize Lean Six Sigma's own internal costs and assure the best quality from the standpoint of its customers. Read the full article. October 29, 2007
- Hoshin Planning: Making the Strategic Plan Work
Interest in using in Hoshin planning, which focuses on achieving a vital annual stretch goal, appears to be growing. And as more large businesses use Hoshin, it is almost certain that they will pressure suppliers in their supply chain to also adopt it. Read the full article. October 22, 2007
- Hoshin Planning: Making the Strategic Plan Work
Interest in using in Hoshin planning, which focuses on achieving a vital annual stretch goal, appears to be growing. And as more large businesses use Hoshin, it is almost certain that they will pressure suppliers in their supply chain to also adopt it. Read the full article. October 22, 2007
- Causal Loop Diagrams: Little Known Analytical Tool
The causal loop diagram is an analytical tool that is seldom used in Six Sigma but nonetheless is still very valuable. It is a foundational tool used in system dynamics, a method of analysis used to develop an understanding of complex systems. Read the full article. October 15, 2007
- Checking Simple Linear Regression Analysis Using 5S's
A quick and easy-to-remember way for Lean Six Sigma practitioners to get the most benefit from simple linear regression analysis is with a simple check-up method. The method borrows and adapts the familiar concept found in the 5S tool. Read the full article. October 8, 2007
- Establishing Criteria for Black Belt Candidate Selection
Many Six Sigma companies would benefit from being able to identify the critical success factors associated with Black Belt candidate selection. A recent study that started with psychometric tests of candidates has provided some insight. Read the full article. October 1, 2007
- Process Improvement Teams Power Six Sigma Success
How can a company find time for improvement if its managers are spending all their time fighting fires and managing the day-to-day responsibilities? One approach is to utilize the Six Sigma methodology and cross-function process improvement teams. Read the full article. September 24, 2007
- Lean Event Starts with Videotaping, Ends with Savings
The Lean event started with videotaping a press wash-up process to establish a baseline. After studying the tape, the team tried out new processes to reduce the wash-up time. After some refinements, time was cut 55% and savings was $150,000 a year. Read the full article. September 17, 2007
- Need Help Choosing a Problem Solving Methodology?
iSixSigma has launched a Methodology Wizard that is free to all readers and will guide practitioners in the selection of a methodology to solve any business problem. Assembled with comprehensive questions, tool tips and additional guidance, this wizard will include all major methodologies, not just "Six Sigma" methodologies so it will be useful to "operational excellence" and "business transformation" initiatives as well. Read the full article. September 13, 2007
- The 5 Whys a Simple Tool in Value Stream Analysis
Value stream mapping is hard work because it requires looking at a process as if every step is non-value-added and is costing the organization time and resources. The 5 Whys is an easy way to root out as many non-value-added steps as possible. Read the full article. September 10, 2007
- Achieving Yokoten in the Process of Risk Management
Risk management is a systematic process to handle risks in every aspect of a project. Yet despite the need to manage risks with care, Six Sigma teams and others involved in projects can get ahead of the curve on addressing risks via yokoten. Read the full article. September 3, 2007
- Work-out: The Most Powerful Process Improvement Tool
If an organization could choose only one method for unlocking value quickly, or only one method for shaping it's culture toward continuous improvement, what tool should it use? The answer is Work-out. Read the full article. August 27, 2007
- Overcoming the Challenges to Project Realization
For many Six Sigma practitioners in transactional environments, simply handing off the project does not guarantee that the gains will be realized. A number of techniques can help overcome obstacles and bring a Six Sigma project to realization. Read the full article. August 20, 2007
- Six Sigma Approach Dictates Program Success or Failure
How can some organizations experience so much success in implementing a Six Sigma continuous improvement program while others fail to fully achieve the desired results? The answer lies in their approach to the program. Read the full article. August 13, 2007
- Using Six Sigma DMAIC for Creating Business Strategy
The Six Sigma DMAIC roadmap has improved performances in companies in virtually every industry and every department within those companies. It can even provide a disciplined process for creating and executing successful business strategies. Read the full article. August 6, 2007
- Leading Geographically Scattered Six Sigma Project Team
Leading a Six Sigma project team can have many challenges no matter the industry - manufacturing or services - and no matter the location. But the challenges are more unique than most practitioners experience when the team is geographically scattered. Read the full article. July 30, 2007
- Consider Kaizen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Six Sigma, when properly used and maintained, is the vehicle of choice - the motorcycle. Lean and fast, blazing along the highway of product cycles and deficiency, a set of tools strapped under the seat as one breezes from root cause to root cause. Read the full article. July 23, 2007
- Differences Between Theory of Constraints and Six Sigma
The theory of constraints is based on the idea that to improve a system or process one must find and address the one most limiting aspect of the system. While that may be understandable, getting from theory to application is not intuitively obvious. Read the full article. July 16, 2007
- Roadmap for Integrating ITIL, CMMI and Lean Six Sigma
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. Read the full article. July 9, 2007
- Using the 5A's to Help LEAP into Lean Implementation
A good acronym for the way an organization can implement Lean is LEAP - Learn it, Explain it, Adapt it, Provide it. The 5A's - assessment, awareness, association, adherence and ascendancy - are the steps an organization takes toward implementing Lean. Read the full article. July 2, 2007
- Six Sigma's Applicability to Business Forecasting
At Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, the business forecasting process was one that most in the company seemed to agree, could not be improved. However, applying the Six Sigma methodology and tools produced impressive results. Read the full article. June 25, 2007
- DFSS as an Enabler of Service-Oriented Architecture
By incorporating the Design for Six Sigma methodology with service-oriented architecture initiatives, SOA can fulfill its promise of transforming the IT assets of a business via services that are optimally designed from the start. Read the full article. June 18, 2007
- Cutting-Edge Methods Help Target Real Call Center Waste
New methods of operation for call centers allow Lean Six Sigma process improvement techniques to be applied to a process that has been difficult to address but that provides the greatest opportunity for increased efficiency -- agent call handling. Read the full article. June 11, 2007
- VOC Loyalty Survey Can Aim Customer Retention Projects
A health plan organization analyzed a simple voice of the customer (VOC) survey to find the drivers and the relationships between loyalty and retention. Then it used the analysis to help target Six Sigma projects to improve subscriber retention. Read the full article. June 4, 2007
- Measurement Systems Analysis in Process Industries
Gage R&R is the standard Six Sigma tool in manufacturing used to evaluate a measurement system in regard to variability. However, it is less useful in process industries where the nature of measurements is different, necessitating a different approach. Read the full article. May 28, 2007
- Debunking Dubious Statistics from a Six Sigma Critic
The principal and founder of a performance improvement consulting firm, professes that businesses using Six Sigma are underperforming their peers in terms of stock price. Those claims prove the cliche, "There are lies, damn lies and statistics." Read the full article. May 24, 2007
- Product Development: Orchestrating a Better Vision
Many similarities exist between an orchestra and the product development process. The analogy is a one good for understanding product development, DFSS and coaching project teams. The analogy helps create improved images of an "envisioned state." Read the full article. May 21, 2007
- Renew the Commitment to Data-Based Decision Making
Six Sigma projects were originally about validating process improvements and savings with sound statistical methods. Continuous improvement program success depends on a renewed emphasis on data-based decision making within the Six Sigma methodology. Read the full article. May 14, 2007
- Every Reason That HR Should Be Involved in Six Sigma
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. Read the full article. May 7, 2007
- How to Do Call Volume Forecasting for Service Desks
Setting appropriate staffing levels for a service desk requires a way to forecast call volumes. While there are many forecasting techniques, one that is simple, easy to implement and can be applied to any size service desk is the best place to start. Read the full article. April 30, 2007
- Integrating Project Management into a Six Sigma System
The integration of the Six Sigma methodology with the tools and techniques of project management holds significant promise for organizations that want to get the most from their continuous improvement efforts. Read the full article. April 23, 2007
- Business Belt: Integrating Six Sigma and Business Sense
The Black Belt as an expert in applying Six Sigma tools and techniques is insufficient to provide the change leadership businesses require. Now a successful Black Belt must inspire people to adopt Six Sigma tools into daily business operations. Read the full article. April 16, 2007
- Adding Value to Content of Six Sigma Project Charters
While most Six Sigma project charters address a fairly standard list of issues, two areas critical to the long-term success of projects should be added -- how a project might detract from or add to the value a company is providing to its customers. Read the full article. April 9, 2007
- Using Monte Carlo Simulation as Process Control Aid
Monte Carlo simulations are often used as a tool in the Analyze or Improve phase of a Six Sigma DMAIC project to improve the capability of processes. However, simulations also are a powerful tool in statistical process control. Read the full article. April 2, 2007
- Aligning Six Sigma with Objectives and Strategies
In a well-managed organization, objectives and strategies and continuous improvement are in alignment. Objectives enhance the efficacy of Six Sigma initiatives. And Six Sigma specialists can play an integral role in ensuring the execution of strategy. Read the full article. March 26, 2007
- Six Steps to Keeping Six Sigma Project Pipeline Full
Selecting the right improvement projects and developing a valuable project pipeline are crucial to Six Sigma success. A six-step process can help to identify appropriate projects properly and create an organization's project pipeline. Read the full article. March 19, 2007
- Benchmarking: Ten Practical Steps with Review Points
Ten practical benchmarking steps and a number of review points (in the form of questions) can help any Lean Six Sigma practitioner involved in measuring of a company's products, services or processes against those recognized as the best in the world. Read the full article. March 12, 2007
- Cause-and-Effect Diagrams and Lean for Service Processes
If too much emphasis is placed upon efficiency in service processes, effectiveness and quality may suffer. For an organization to achieve the best Lean improvement in service processes, efficiency and effectiveness need to be appropriately balanced. Read the full article. March 5, 2007
- Applying Theory of Constraints to Manage Bottlenecks
The theory of constraints is an important tool for improving process flows. The implications of the theory are far reaching in terms of understanding bottlenecks to a process and better managing these bottlenecks to create an efficient process flow. Read the full article. February 26, 2007
- Customer Winback Concept Begs for Use of Six Sigma
"Customer winback," a common business marketing/sales prorgram aimed at winning back disgruntled customers and then retaining them, is a process that begs for the adoption of Six Sigma practices and techniques. Read the full article. February 19, 2007
- Value Stream Mapping on a Budget (Using a Spreadsheet)
Can't afford special software or time for training? Value stream mapping (VSM) can be done with a simple spreadsheet. Admittedly some specialized functions will be unavailable, but Six Sigma practitioners can develop a VSM to address many issues. Read the full article. February 12, 2007
- Threads of Success and Failure in Process Improvement
In addition to Six Sigma, many process improvement methodologies, when applied correctly, achieve comparable results. What is important to know is those common threads that run through all process improvement efforts that succeed or fail. Read the full article. January 29, 2007
- Enhanced VOC Data Collection Can Jump Start Projects
The Lean Six Sigma project leader has to determine how products or services affects customer behavior…not just what the customer says. An enhanced VOC data collection process can improve project execution and make the project leader's job easier. Read the full article. January 22, 2007
- Lean Six Sigma to Reduce Excess and Obsolete Inventory
Excess and obsolete inventory write-offs are chronic supply chain problems costing businesses billions of dollars each year. Lean Six Sigma can be effective in eliminating root causes, and thus preventing costly year-end reductions in inventory. Read the full article. January 15, 2007
- Eight Basics of Lean Six Sigma for Manufacturing Firms
In today's competitive manufacturing environment, it takes more than quick fixes, outsourcing and downsizing to consistently achieve growth and profit objectives. For companies to grow they need to master eight basics of Lean Six Sigma. Read the full article. January 8, 2007
- Training Black Belts or Hiring Them -- Which Is Better?
Does an organization want to foot the bill to train its own people as Black Belts and Green Belts by releasing them from their current duties, or should it just hire Black Belts from different organizations and have them lead projects? Read the full article. January 1, 2007
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