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IT
Applying Lean Six Sigma in an Automated IT Process
In the last several years, companies have had notable results using Lean Six Sigma in transactional and administrative processes. Recently Medtronic has successfully adapted Lean Six Sigma to apply to even a wholly automated electronic IT process.
Applying Six Sigma to Software Implementation Projects
Two project scenarios demonstrate how Six Sigma can address common pain points in software implementation – defining customer requirements and making accurate estimates.
Australian Bank to Revamp IT with Lean Six Sigma
To prepare for a three-year IT overhaul, Australias Westpac bank is applying Lean Six Sigma methods to improve customer service.
Case Study: Applying Resource Modeling to IT Problem
Using resource models to manage the utilization of human resources can lead to higher service levels, lower costs and other benefits. This case study within the field of information technology shows the mechanics of building such a model.
Controlling Change in IT Departments Using DMAIC
For IT departments, following a DMAIC roadmap for a process change request – such as the upgrading of databases and server hardware – can provide organizations with the necessary framework to ensure that all changes are made in the most efficient manner possible.
Controlling the Process That Controls Business Processes
The same methods (Lean Six Sigma) which transformed manufacturing and transactional processes into smooth, high efficiency processes also will work in software and IT, if adapted to recognize the differences in these processes.
Core Set of Effectiveness Metrics for Software and IT
A basic-yet-powerful set of metrics gets to the heart of measuring organizational efficiency and effectiveness in software and IT organizations. These metrics also facilitate effective application of Six Sigma in software and IT organizations.
Creating a More Accurate IT Availability Definition
Although IT reported values for application availability might be numerically correct, they may not be a true representation of the situation. For more accurate predictions, use outside-in and rolled-throughput approaches.
DMAIC Case Study: Improving System Availability
A leading environmental services company used DMAIC to improve the availability of an internal software system. The goal was to reduce system downtime and reduce defect resolution time, thereby increasing return on investment and user satisfaction.
Exploring Defect Containment Metrics in Agile
While Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and Agile software development seem to have different orientations, there is more linkage than meets the eye. Considering defect containment metrics, there is a positive tie between these two bodies of experience.
Leverage ITIL and Six Sigma Together to Maximize Outcome
The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Framework is a set of best practices that facilitate delivery of high quality IT services. Combined with Six Sigma, ITIL serves as a model that prompts organizations to use maximum synergy.
Objective Defect Evaluation Leads Improvement Efforts
In order to objectively analyze and take corrective action in instances where the best improvement project is not immediately visible, assigning severity, failure effect and end effect numbers to each option may help practitioners make the next move.
Optimizing Software/IT Role in a Typical Organization
In software and IT projects most failures are related to the lack of an understanding of what the customer really expects the system to do (operational requirements) and why (business results). But a program like Six Sigma can resolve many issues.
Problem Management: Coordinating ITIL and Six Sigma
Applying both the Information Technology Infrastructure Library and Six Sigma to the many requirements businesses are considering information technology (IT) functions can help IT units provide the best value to their companies and their customers.
Process Improvement and Technology: The Virtuous Cycle
Implementing the "virtuous cycle" can help a business ensure that its IT organization can best fulfill its challenge of driving most of the process improvements in throughout the business as well as improving its own processes.
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.
Six Sigma and MIS: A New Partnership
Six Sigma initiatives will increasingly focus their solutions on information systems. With a strong partnership between Six Sigma and IT, organizations can make more informed investment decisions about process improvement projects.
Six Sigma Applies to IT, as Evidenced by Success
Recapping some of the successes that have been achieved with Six Sigma in IT and describing some of the IT activities to which Six Sigma can be applied, should clearly answer the question "Does Six Sigma apply to IT?" with a resounding "yes!"
Six Sigma Software Metrics, Part 1
There are multiple measures and metrics available for the Six Sigma development of software. This article discusses the Total Containment Effectiveness, Phase Containment Effectiveness and Defect Containment Effectiveness.
Six Sigma Software Metrics, Part 2
There are multiple measures and metrics available for the Six Sigma development of software. This article discusses how to predict defect find and fix rates during development and after release.
Six Sigma Software Metrics, Part 3
There are multiple measures and metrics available for the Six Sigma development of software. This article discusses how to compare implementations within the company.
Six Sigma Software Metrics, Part 4
This article is the last of four parts. It presents a discussion of opportunities for defects (OFD), defects per million opportunities (DPMO) and Sigma levels. When comparing implementations across companies, using the common language of DPMO and Sigma levels will assist in understanding benchmarking data.
Software Development Assessments for the 21st Century
How does an organization start the process of driving change, without investing significant time in resource-intensive assessments to establish a quantitative baseline and measure subsequent performance progress? The answer may lie in web technology.
Solving Decreasing Sales With Lean Six Sigma
Online retailer ABC has a strong market research unit and a seamless feedback loop for enhancing the customer experience. Despite the company's seeming responsiveness to customer feedback, sales had dropped significantly in the last few years. An external Lean Six Sigma consultant was invited by the CEO to guide ABC in improving their declining sales.
Tips for Defining and Collecting IT Process Metrics
IT firms often begin initiatives to measure and collect data for process metrics as part of improvement initiatives. Practitioners responsible for deployment will benefit from understanding the strategic, tactical and operational aspects of metrics.
Using a Criteria-Based Matrix to Prioritize IT Projects
A common challenge for an information technology department is how to prioritize projects for the biggest benefit. Follow these eight steps to build a criteria-based matrix that provides effective prioritization for any organization.
Using Core Effectiveness Metrics to Drive Improvement
After making a case for using cost-of-quality metrics, combined with defect data, as overall measures of software and IT organizational effectiveness. The next logical step is to illustrate how these metrics might be used to drive improvement.
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