Category: Methodology

Process time vs. cycle time is a discussion that comes up often for newcomers to Six Sigma. Understanding these principles and how they apply to your time management is vital. Failing to grasp these concepts can negatively affect your bottom line . What is Process Time? Process time describes the interval required for a product […]

Data is everything for a Six Sigma project. Before you can define a problem, analyze root causes, or confirm that improvements are taking hold, you need actionable data from a measurement system. Reliable numbers aren’t just a nice thing to have, but an expectation if you’re looking to have any effort take off. As such, […]

It should go without saying that in the grand scheme of corporate life, whether your business is big or small, innovation can be your lifeblood. Whether it’s standing out from the competition or continuing to innovate on a product customers already love, there is so much to be said about consistently coming up […]

How do you convert DPMO to Sigma Level? There are several metrics you can use to measure how well your process is performing. Let’s look at three of them and discuss how to calculate them and how they relate. The three are DPMO, Sigma Level, and Cpk. Convert DPMO/Sigma to Cpk  Before discussing how you […]

There never seems to be enough time on a project, especially when considering flow time vs. cycle time. These measurements are great ways of tracking time throughout a project. However, when to use these respective measurements comes down to the stage of the project. Don’t fret, we’ll get you up to speed in no time. […]

Common cause vs. special cause variation, aren’t they the same thing? At first glance, you’d be allowed to think so. However, as with any part of the production cycle, there is a reason for these two measurements to exist. So, let’s dive right into what makes these variations different, and how to identify and benefit […]

Takt Time vs. Cycle Time: when do you choose what to use? Regardless of your processes’ efficiency, you will have to measure the time eventually. Now, if you’re a new Six Sigma practitioner, you might be wondering about Takt Time vs. Cycle Time. Both of these metrics are important to understanding and refining your processes. […]

ANOVA will tell you whether there is a statistically significant difference in the population means of three or more groups of data. But which means are different? Tukey’s will tell you that. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is used to determine whether the population means of several sample data sets are statistically different or not. If […]

Data analysis is a fundamental process in any project. However, data can be lumped into different types, with categorical and continuous data seeming almost opposed at first glance. That said, mastering these data types and understanding when and where to use them can lead to far more precision during data analysis as a whole. What […]

So what is the real difference when looking at Cpk and Sigma Level? If you’re new to Six Sigma, there is no shortage of acronyms and calculations to keep in mind as you work on your knowledge base. Both Cpk and Sigma Level are valuable tools when looking at your processes and production. So, let’s […]

Throughout any project, you’re going to gather up quite a bit of data. Now, this can be broken down into two categories: variable and attribute data. Understanding the difference and learning how it is applicable during the analysis stage can be crucial for future decision-making. So, with that in mind, let’s take a deeper dive […]

Incremental and continuous improvements are great. When appropriate, breakthrough improvement is even better. IDOV (identify, design, optimize, validate) is one tool for accomplishing this. Let’s see how. 

When you are part of an organization that is working towards goals, you are part of a team. A team moving toward hitting milestones can sometimes need to generate excitement and motivation while inching toward the goal line. This is why we have acronyms like TEAM. An acronym like TEAM can be used […]

What Is PDCA? The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) method is a framework used to achieve continuous improvement in a particular organization or process. It’s also known by several other names, including the Deming wheel, the Shewhart cycle, and the control circle. Even though the method was originally rooted in quality control, it has since been […]

What is Continuous? Continuous data refers to numerical data with any value within a certain range. The values have infinite possibilities, but they all fall within a range. These can be whole numbers or decimals measured using data analysis like skews and line graphs. This kind of data can change over time and […]

The Bartlett Test is named after the English statistician, Maurice Stevenson Bartlett. The test is also known as the Bartlett’s test for homogeneity of variances. It is most used in doing a 1-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). ANOVA is used to determine whether there is any statistical difference between the means of three […]

What is a Subject Matter Expert? Subject matter experts (SMEs) are people who have a significant amount of knowledge or experience regarding a specific subject. They can specialize in any kind of academic discipline, profession, or practice. Even though their area of expertise is relatively narrow compared to general consultants, there is still […]

It is important in business to have a sampling system in place to determine when to dump a pack of units dumped due to an unacceptable amount being defective. LTPD is part of this sampling system.

Financial project metrics can be cumbersome to use and jargon-heavy. We demystify and simplify project return on investment, making the concept accessible to all and giving you the confidence to use it in your project management operations.

When it comes to Six Sigma, data is your lifeblood. The ability to interpret what the data is saying is how you know whether you are on the right path. Further, it shows how you’re achieving your goals and objectives and avoiding roadblocks on your journey toward success. Accurately collected and analyzed data […]

The Toyota Production System (TPS) serves as the foundation for Lean Manufacturing. Let’s explore this powerful method for improving your processes.  The Toyota Production System (TPS) is a manufacturing philosophy and a set of management practices developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It emphasizes continuous improvement, just-in-time production, and efficient use of resources, […]

Deming’s 14 Points provide a roadmap to transform American Business and increase productivity and competitive position.  Without W. Edwards Deming, modern quality improvement might not exist. If you have never heard of Dr. Deming or his 14 Points for Management, welcome aboard. If you have, get ready to reacquaint yourself.   What Are Deming’s […]

What Is Linearity? Before understanding linearity, we must understand another measurement error known as bias. Bias is a consistent mistake that occurs in measurement. For example, every measure taken with your scale comes out heavier than the actual weight. Linearity measures the consistency of a bias over the entire range of possible measurements. […]

When it comes to sampling plans, there are some terms that are absolutely crucial to be aware of. These are Acceptable Quality Level (AQL), Indifference Quality Level (IQL), and Rejectable Quality Level (RQL).