Category: Project Management

Y
Updated:In discussions about the Six Sigma methodology, you will often find the equation Y=F(x). It is an important formula in working with the methodology and can serve as a very helpful tool in project management. When working with the Y=f(x) formula, X stands for the various inputs utilized to generate an outcome, while f represents […]
Read more ยป
Agile
Updated:Sometimes you need an improvement approach that is faster than the traditional Six Sigma methods of DMAIC or DMEDI. Agile may be your answer. Letโs see how.ย ย The word agile refers to the ability to rapidly create and respond to change and the need to improve. It is a way of dealing with, and ultimately […]
Read more ยป
Use Earned Value Management for Process Improvement
Published:Whenever there is an issue in a process, attempts are made to identify the process step that is causing the problem, identify the root cause and come up with a corrective or preventive action. The time taken to identify the โrightโ process step is directly proportional to the number of process steps involved and it […]
Read more ยป
Abstraction Factor Analysis: A Nonlinear Way to Improve Product Development
Published:The Lean Six Sigma (LSS) toolbox can always be extended with new approaches that enable the harvesting of new opportunities for improvement. Philosophically, improvement in terms of velocity, cost, quality, performance, reliability and widespread customer acceptance remain relevant but also complex. One way of extending the use of these methodologies and tools is by developing […]
Read more ยป
How to Improve Project Cycle Time
Published:A common metric many organizations use to assess the performance of their Lean Six Sigma program is project cycle time โ the total time from the beginning to the end of a process improvement project, including total process time and all delays. If your organizationโs project cycle time is running higher than your targeted rate, […]
Read more ยป
Better Project Management Through Beta Distribution
Published:As a Six Sigma professional responsible for managing projects, have you ever been asked the following questions? When do you reasonably expect to complete your project? Whatโs the probability of completing the project on time or on a given date? Which activities on the critical path should you focus your attention on to meet the […]
Read more ยป
Combining Six Sigma and CMMI Can Accelerate Improvements
Published:Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a framework for business process improvement. Like any model, CMMI reflects one version of reality, and like most models, it may be more idealistic than realistic in some ways. Organizations can use the model as a jumping off point to create process improvement solutions that fit their unique development […]
Read more ยป
Managing IT Demands Through Project Portfolios
Published:If you are thinking change is the only constant in today’s world, there is more. In fact, organizations are required to deal with and manage dynamic changes all the time. The strength of a delivery system is determined by its ability to respond to changes and meet customer expectations. Changes come to the delivery organization […]
Read more ยป
Integrating Project Management into a Six Sigma System
Published:Manufacturers and transactional firms share a drive to lower costs, reduce cycle time and offer a diverse product mix as they pursue higher profits and an increased market share in a growing global environment. Consumers (those paying for the end product) want products or services that are cheaper, readily available and of a quality that […]
Read more ยป
See Long- and Short-term Results with a 3-6-12-24 Plan
Published:A major dilemma companies face today is the pressure to deliver short-term improvements and benefits while still contributing to longer-term breakthrough objectives. The 3-6-12-24 planning tool helps practitioners find a way out of this predicament.
Read more ยป
Thought Process Map for Six Sigma: What, Why and How
Published:A thought process map, sometimes referred to as a TMAP or TPM, not only helps you begin an improvement project with a comprehensive view, but ensures you stay on track all the way through completion. Learn how to use this powerful visual tool.
Read more ยป
Lean Six Sigma and the Art of Integration
Published:It may seem un-Six Sigma-like to use art concepts in a discussion of Lean Six Sigma and the merger of two large financial institutions. But in fact, any serious approach to integrating two complex organizations can benefit from thinking in terms of art as well as science.
Read more ยป
Six Sigma and the Project Management Body of Knowledge
Published:Interest in Six Sigma is growing rapidly within the professional project management community, and the most common question coming from that group is something like “How does Six Sigma relate to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK)?” Six Sigma and PMBoK do have connections, similarities and distinctions. Before diving into specifics, a little background […]
Read more ยป