Julian

Consider BMGI.com They have exam that you could take.

Great advise and I completely agree with you. A follow on question is ‘do you perform this strategic alignment to identify SS project on yearly basis as part of your for example, fall/spring business planning cycle?

If you want to really learn more about SPC, you might try reading the following book.  It is invaluable and explains this science in excellant detail.  Although it was written for healthcare, you will learn about the different types of control charts, etc.  “Statistical Process Control for Health Care” by Marilyn K. Hart and Robert F. Hart.  The…[Read more]

You might read “If Disney Ran Your Hospital”  by Fred Lee.    It is targeted towards healthcare satisfaction but it could be applied in any business.

There’s also a recent article by the McKinsey Quarterly that reviews the new metrics of corporate performance: profit per employee which. may yield some additional insight.
I’m also trying to measure knowledge management.
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1924&l2=21&l3=37&srid=110&gp=0

Well Monk 2 things
1.  We always weigh up consequences – read the book I recommended.  Even feeding a baby or ourselves!!!
2.  I’m in the UK.  I’m off now – not bad it’s 4.45pm and I have finished my work!!

Hi Monk
You’re going to have to stop responding so I can do some work….. but as you can tell, I’m enjoying our discussion.  See how I consider what’s in it for me?  Weighing up the positive consequence of reading your responses versus the negative threat that I’ll be in trouble if I don’t finish my work.
The answer to both your questions is ye…[Read more]

Monk
Thanks for the resoponse – now we’re talking.  I need to answer your request with a question:  What’s in it for me?
There are two broad approached to change people’s behaviour (which is fundamentally what is required to solve global warming).  Either you create something of value that incentivises the change, or you create a negative conseq…[Read more]

Monk
Do you really think we don’t have enough meaningful data to solve the global warming problem?
Of course we do.  As I already wrote, the issue is with people.  Nobody owns cause (amongst other things) it costs too much.  So we need to keep working on the buy in.
More measurement is exactly what politicians and big business want us to be di…[Read more]

Monk
I’ve enjoyed reading many of the responses to your question.  And the simple answer is no – Six Sigma can’t help you solve your problem.
A common mistake in the use of Six Sigma is to apply it to problems where we already know the solution.  In this case, the solutions and the causes are known.  So we need an action plan and great st…[Read more]

Hi Agna
The limits are based on the idea that if your process behaves normally i.e. in control, then most of your products and services will tend to be produced at or about the mean of your process.  Unfortunately, some of your products will be made far enough away from the mean that they will be defective.
If you set your control limits at +/…[Read more]

I have seen a number of studies up to the end of 1990s which show how Six Sigma improved stock value, earnings per share etc. And when this was the case, every 6 Sigma guru was happy to use this evidence.
I truly believe that great 6 Sigma companies can still outperform the indeces in troubled times and we, in the 6 Sigma profession, shouldn’t…[Read more]

You always keep your limits at 3 sigma.  The theory of control charts is built around these limits: a special cause (point outside the limits) is a rare event and probably worth looking into.  At 2 sigma the risk is you investigate “special causes” which are actually part and parcel of the natural variability of the process – we call this c…[Read more]

That’s right – so how much will this cost you? Put a number to it and prioritise this way.  I have found projects where revenue is at risk are amongst the most profitable that there are
 

Priti
The key selection criteria for any project is bottom line impact.
Don’t start process mapping anything until you have an understanding of how much money you will save your company by reducing or eliminating each of the defects.  Some complaints may be very common but cheap and easy to remedy.  Some complaints may be rare but very e…[Read more]

Hi Craig,
Your suggestions gave me a great help. Acctually I am just beginning my 6 Sigma journey. I work at a company having most businesses with GE.
I prefer DFSS is a separate approach, especially for the beginners of 6 Sigma. People usually are confused with DMAIC & DMADV.
Craig, would you probably review my questions and be kind to give…[Read more]