What Is Six Sigma Lean Definition Process amp Methodology
What Is Six Sigma (Lean) - Definition, Process & Methodology Skip to content
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The DMAIC methodology is used to improve existing business processes, rather than implement entirely new ones. It has five key steps or components: Define the process or system for which improvement is being sought, the needs of those for whom the process exists (usually customers using the finished product or service), and the goals of the improvement project (usually a measure of quality or cost savings).Measure and collect data on all relevant aspects of the process as it currently exists (“as-is”).Analyze collected data to determine cause-and-effect relationships within the as-is process or system and uncover root causes for all relevant factors impacting the process’s performance.Improve the process and develop a “future state” process using the results of the data analysis and the relevant tools in the Six Sigma toolkit, running experiments and pilot projects as necessary to test various approaches.Control the improved “future state” process using control systems (such as statistical process control) and ongoing monitoring of all relevant data, with the ultimate goal of identifying and preventing defects before they become apparent to the end user. 2. DMADV/DFSS
The DMADV or DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) methodology is used to design and develop new products or business processes. The goal is to prevent design flaws before they become baked into a process and heighten the risk of defects. Like DMAIC, DMADV has five key steps, some of which overlap with DMAIC’s: Define and elaborate design goals consistent with customer needs (general and for specific similar products) and company goals.Measure the new product’s or process’s characteristics, capabilities, production process parameters, and potential risks.Analyze data collected during the “M” step to develop alternative product and process designs.Design the best product or process configuration based on the results of the analysis.Verify that the design is functional, conduct pilot runs to game out the production process, and assist the eventual process owner with full-scale implementation.
The Six Sigma doctrines outline several distinct roles and certification levels that fit within its framework. Depending on their size and strategic goals, organizations that choose to implement Six Sigma usually leverage most or all of the following: Executive Leadership. C-level executive leaders set the initial strategic vision for Six Sigma implementation, assign roles to subordinates, and encourage the necessary cultural conditions for adoption. In practice, one executive (such as the chief operating officer) often “owns” Six Sigma implementation, but successful adoption almost always requires the executive suite to present a united front of support. Crucially, executives exert pressure on employees or departments that prove resistant to Six Sigma implementation, up to and including terminating or reassigning employees who actively impede its progress.Champions. Champions supervise and encourage the adoption of Six Sigma across the organization. Though they rarely supervise individual Six Sigma projects directly, they devote additional time and energy to specific initiatives that fall behind schedule or fail to produce results. Champions are usually senior executives, such as vice presidents of operations, who report directly to C-level leaders (if they’re not C-level themselves) and have the authority to issue directives across multiple teams and divisions. Subordinate Six Sigma practitioners exist in a hierarchy modeled after the judo belt system. Though there is no universal certification or quality standard for these belt levels, those at the top of the hierarchy (black belts and master black belts) typically have years of Six Sigma project experience and deep understanding of Six Sigma theory. Many universities and independent organizations (such as the American Society for Quality, or ASQ) offer certification courses that confer legitimacy. These courses often require documented evidence (via signed affidavit) of participation in a certain number of Six Sigma projects or years devoted to Six Sigma work. Despite the lack of standardization, Six Sigma certifications are very important, particularly for professionals who plan to leave their current employers and need to demonstrate their grasp of Six Sigma principles. The common Six Sigma belt levels are: Master Black Belts. Master black belts are senior management-level employees who devote all of their time to Six Sigma projects, whether by acting as consultants on individual projects, mentoring subordinates who are directly supervising projects, or conducting investigations and analyses to identify potential Six Sigma initiatives. Master black belt certifying bodies generally require candidates to have extensive experience at the lower levels of the Six Sigma hierarchy – for instance, ASQ requires applicants for its master black belt course to document at least five years of black belt experience or leadership of 10 discrete projects at the black belt level.Black Belts. Black belts are management-level employees who devote most or all of their time to Six Sigma projects, generally as project leads. They’re usually the most senior employees involved in direct execution of specific Six Sigma projects. To qualify for black belt certification, candidates need to have substantial Six Sigma experience – ASQ requires leadership of at least two documented Six Sigma projects, for example.Green Belts. Green belts are lower-ranked employees who have solid understanding of Six Sigma principles, and are frequently assigned discrete tasks that contribute to the execution of Six Sigma projects, but do not devote all of their time to Six Sigma work. To qualify for certification, documented evidence of participation in Six Sigma projects is generally required.Yellow Belts. Yellow belts are entry- or lower-level employees who have Six Sigma “awareness,” including basic familiarity with common Six Sigma tools and methods. They’re capable of contributing to Six Sigma projects, but are not expected to solve high-level problems.White Belts. White belts have basic understanding of Six Sigma concepts, but are not expected to participate in Six Sigma projects. They’re often members of support staff or non-production employees for whom the primary benefit of Six Sigma knowledge is ease of communication with higher-ranked Six Sigma professionals. Larger organizations that adopt Six Sigma sometimes set up intra-organizational structures – divisions or teams – devoted entirely to directing Six Sigma implementation, guiding the required cultural changes and managing specific Six Sigma initiatives. Though these structures vary from place to place, they’re typically run by a champion who reports to senior executives, and staffed by master black belts and black belts. Smaller organizations may not be able to afford this level of separation and specialization. Instead, they may simply encourage employees to attain progressively higher levels of Six Sigma certification; ensure that Six Sigma knowledge is spread appropriately throughout the organization, especially among management-level process owners; and take Six Sigma certifications into account when promoting, reassigning, and terminating personnel (for instance, by promoting employees who take the initiative to attain higher Six Sigma levels or demonstrate exceptional aptitude with the doctrine).
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By Brian Martucci Date September 14, 2021FEATURED PROMOTION
If you regularly consume financial news or economic commentary, you’re used to hearing about the multitudinous business challenges threatening workers’ job security and employers’ bottom lines. Some such challenges, such as workplace automation and certain aspects of globalization, are relatively new, and wrought largely by technological or political change. Others have been around since the dawn of private enterprise. For millennia, manufacturers – first small-scale, local shops employing skilled craftspeople and laborers, and later larger companies with increasingly vast and sophisticated operations – have doggedly developed and refined strategies for limiting waste, improving efficiency, and standardizing quality. Within the past few decades, two related but distinct doctrines have arisen to address these issues: Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. Six Sigma focuses on standardized quality – reduced variation and fewer defects in finished products through improved production processes and better design. Lean Six Sigma focuses on eliminating manufacturing waste and inefficiency by streamlining production flow from start to finish. Corporate leaders have enthusiastically – though not universally – adopted these doctrines, empowering their teams to achieve levels of productivity and quality once thought unattainable.Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations have an average return of 397%. For $79 (or just $1.52 per week), join more than 1 million members and don't miss their upcoming stock picks. 30 day money-back guarantee. Sign Up Now
What Is Six Sigma
Definition and Origins
According to General Electric, an early Six Sigma adopter, “Six Sigma is a highly disciplined process that helps us focus on developing and delivering near-perfect products and services.” The name “Six Sigma” refers to the Greek letter sigma, which is used in statistics to denote deviation from a mean. The doctrine’s original goal was to improve any process to which it was applied such that defects would arise in no more than 3.4 in 1 million opportunities – an accuracy rate of 99.99966%, and a defect rate per million opportunities (DPMO) of 3.4. In this case, an “opportunity” is any chance to accurately follow a quantitative specification during a production process – for instance, to produce a part or component of a larger product within specified tolerances. If the part falls outside the required tolerances, the opportunity is missed, the accuracy of the production process decreases, and the goal of Six Sigma is threatened. Therefore, as originally conceived, Six Sigma provided an extremely narrow margin for production error, holding its practitioners to a standard of near-perfection – often referred to as “Six Sigma Quality.” Six Sigma’s original standard is typically attributed to Motorola, the Japanese electronics giant, which set a “six sigma” accuracy standard for all of its production processes during the mid-1980s. Motorola’s leaders then developed a coherent doctrine around the basic goal of Six Sigma Quality, saving the sprawling enterprise $17 billion between 1986 and 2004 (per Motorola University). As the benefits of Motorola’s approach became clear, other major manufacturers – including GE, Honeywell, and Ford – jumped on the Six Sigma bandwagon. Today, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma use is widespread in the manufacturing world, and is increasingly common in service industries (such as IT and finance) too. Though the original 3.4 DPMO rate remains the Six Sigma doctrine’s signature goal, organizations set their own DPMO goals based on their own assessments of what is practically achievable and what their customers are willing to tolerate. In many cases, these goals are less strict than the original 3.4 DPMO measure, though all by definition improve upon the status quo.Six Sigma Characteristics
Process Control. Six Sigma practitioners believe that the production process leaves no room for the intangible. In other words, all work can be reduced to inputs that produce outputs which contribute to – and add or subtract value from – the finished product. These inputs can be defined, quantified, and controlled, and therefore improved. The input-output relationship is described as y=f(x), where x is the input and y is the output.Organizational Buy-In. Six Sigma works best when everyone buys in. Organizations that effectively utilize Six Sigma generally have enthusiastic Six Sigma champions in the executive suite, Six Sigma experts throughout mid-level management, and rank-and-file employees who are thoroughly familiar with (and held accountable for following) the doctrine. Larger organizations often have dedicated Six Sigma teams or divisions responsible for coordinating Six Sigma implementation and holding employees accountable for its success.Qualitative and Quantitative Tools. Six Sigma relies on a host of qualitative and quantitative tools, not all of which are necessarily utilized in every Six Sigma project. Common tools in the Six Sigma toolkit include various types of statistical analysis (such as regression analysis and linear modeling), cost-benefit analysis, root cause analysis, process mapping, and Pareto charting.Well-Defined Methodologies. Six Sigma projects are guided by clear, well-defined methodologies that follow repeatable steps and can be applied to a wide variety of production situations. Though these characteristics sound somewhat generic (and perhaps even obvious), they differ from the characteristics and values of previous process-improvement doctrines in important ways. For instance, Six Sigma is entirely data- and outcome-driven, leaving no room for intuition. Also, Six Sigma – to a degree not seen in prior doctrines – more emphatically emphasizes the financial benefits (such as reduced production costs and higher profitability) of waste reduction and quality improvement. Furthermore, Six Sigma is heavily dependent on management- and executive-level champions, and is not regarded as effective in organizations whose leaders are not passionate about its adoption.Six Sigma Methodologies
The Six Sigma doctrine has two core methodologies, each designed for different situations. Both are modeled after the Plan-Check-Do-Act (or Plan-Check-Study-Act) cycle popularized by W. Edwards Deming, an influential quality control theorist and management consultant active for much of the 20th century. 1. DMAICThe DMAIC methodology is used to improve existing business processes, rather than implement entirely new ones. It has five key steps or components: Define the process or system for which improvement is being sought, the needs of those for whom the process exists (usually customers using the finished product or service), and the goals of the improvement project (usually a measure of quality or cost savings).Measure and collect data on all relevant aspects of the process as it currently exists (“as-is”).Analyze collected data to determine cause-and-effect relationships within the as-is process or system and uncover root causes for all relevant factors impacting the process’s performance.Improve the process and develop a “future state” process using the results of the data analysis and the relevant tools in the Six Sigma toolkit, running experiments and pilot projects as necessary to test various approaches.Control the improved “future state” process using control systems (such as statistical process control) and ongoing monitoring of all relevant data, with the ultimate goal of identifying and preventing defects before they become apparent to the end user. 2. DMADV/DFSS
The DMADV or DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) methodology is used to design and develop new products or business processes. The goal is to prevent design flaws before they become baked into a process and heighten the risk of defects. Like DMAIC, DMADV has five key steps, some of which overlap with DMAIC’s: Define and elaborate design goals consistent with customer needs (general and for specific similar products) and company goals.Measure the new product’s or process’s characteristics, capabilities, production process parameters, and potential risks.Analyze data collected during the “M” step to develop alternative product and process designs.Design the best product or process configuration based on the results of the analysis.Verify that the design is functional, conduct pilot runs to game out the production process, and assist the eventual process owner with full-scale implementation.
Six Sigma Implementation and Certification Levels
Though the Six Sigma doctrine is not difficult to grasp at a high level, the tools that aid its application and the analytic approach to understanding its outcomes are complex and not necessarily intuitive. Mastering Six Sigma principles takes a great deal of time, even for the most capable employees. Additionally, Six Sigma requires more than just lip service from management and production workers – it demands genuine, cross-organization buy-in, which in turn necessitates cultural change. Implementation Roles & Certification LevelsThe Six Sigma doctrines outline several distinct roles and certification levels that fit within its framework. Depending on their size and strategic goals, organizations that choose to implement Six Sigma usually leverage most or all of the following: Executive Leadership. C-level executive leaders set the initial strategic vision for Six Sigma implementation, assign roles to subordinates, and encourage the necessary cultural conditions for adoption. In practice, one executive (such as the chief operating officer) often “owns” Six Sigma implementation, but successful adoption almost always requires the executive suite to present a united front of support. Crucially, executives exert pressure on employees or departments that prove resistant to Six Sigma implementation, up to and including terminating or reassigning employees who actively impede its progress.Champions. Champions supervise and encourage the adoption of Six Sigma across the organization. Though they rarely supervise individual Six Sigma projects directly, they devote additional time and energy to specific initiatives that fall behind schedule or fail to produce results. Champions are usually senior executives, such as vice presidents of operations, who report directly to C-level leaders (if they’re not C-level themselves) and have the authority to issue directives across multiple teams and divisions. Subordinate Six Sigma practitioners exist in a hierarchy modeled after the judo belt system. Though there is no universal certification or quality standard for these belt levels, those at the top of the hierarchy (black belts and master black belts) typically have years of Six Sigma project experience and deep understanding of Six Sigma theory. Many universities and independent organizations (such as the American Society for Quality, or ASQ) offer certification courses that confer legitimacy. These courses often require documented evidence (via signed affidavit) of participation in a certain number of Six Sigma projects or years devoted to Six Sigma work. Despite the lack of standardization, Six Sigma certifications are very important, particularly for professionals who plan to leave their current employers and need to demonstrate their grasp of Six Sigma principles. The common Six Sigma belt levels are: Master Black Belts. Master black belts are senior management-level employees who devote all of their time to Six Sigma projects, whether by acting as consultants on individual projects, mentoring subordinates who are directly supervising projects, or conducting investigations and analyses to identify potential Six Sigma initiatives. Master black belt certifying bodies generally require candidates to have extensive experience at the lower levels of the Six Sigma hierarchy – for instance, ASQ requires applicants for its master black belt course to document at least five years of black belt experience or leadership of 10 discrete projects at the black belt level.Black Belts. Black belts are management-level employees who devote most or all of their time to Six Sigma projects, generally as project leads. They’re usually the most senior employees involved in direct execution of specific Six Sigma projects. To qualify for black belt certification, candidates need to have substantial Six Sigma experience – ASQ requires leadership of at least two documented Six Sigma projects, for example.Green Belts. Green belts are lower-ranked employees who have solid understanding of Six Sigma principles, and are frequently assigned discrete tasks that contribute to the execution of Six Sigma projects, but do not devote all of their time to Six Sigma work. To qualify for certification, documented evidence of participation in Six Sigma projects is generally required.Yellow Belts. Yellow belts are entry- or lower-level employees who have Six Sigma “awareness,” including basic familiarity with common Six Sigma tools and methods. They’re capable of contributing to Six Sigma projects, but are not expected to solve high-level problems.White Belts. White belts have basic understanding of Six Sigma concepts, but are not expected to participate in Six Sigma projects. They’re often members of support staff or non-production employees for whom the primary benefit of Six Sigma knowledge is ease of communication with higher-ranked Six Sigma professionals. Larger organizations that adopt Six Sigma sometimes set up intra-organizational structures – divisions or teams – devoted entirely to directing Six Sigma implementation, guiding the required cultural changes and managing specific Six Sigma initiatives. Though these structures vary from place to place, they’re typically run by a champion who reports to senior executives, and staffed by master black belts and black belts. Smaller organizations may not be able to afford this level of separation and specialization. Instead, they may simply encourage employees to attain progressively higher levels of Six Sigma certification; ensure that Six Sigma knowledge is spread appropriately throughout the organization, especially among management-level process owners; and take Six Sigma certifications into account when promoting, reassigning, and terminating personnel (for instance, by promoting employees who take the initiative to attain higher Six Sigma levels or demonstrate exceptional aptitude with the doctrine).