Articles

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for Beginners

What is Root Cause Analysis (RCA) ? Root cause analysis, usually referred to as RCA is an approach used to analyze serious problems before trying to solve them, by which the main root cause of a problem is isolated and identified. A root cause is defined as a factor which by removal would prevent the […]

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Lean Six Sigma - Beginner’s Guide

Lean Six Sigma – Beginner’s Guide

What is Six Sigma? Six Sigma is firstly introduced by Bill Smith, Motorola’s engineer in 1986 as a multi tools and techniques for continuous improvement. Then used as a central business strategy in 1995 at General Electric. Since then it is widely used in various industrial and services sectors. Six Sigma main goal is to […]

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Process flow diagram

Find Your Flow: Process Flow Diagrams for Beginners

You can use Process flow diagrams in just about any industry to organize process steps in sequential order. Process flow diagram are incredibly useful tools in Six Sigma and Lean, as they allow you to arrange data in a detailed, comprehensive manner by which to easily identify areas where corrective action is needed. This article […]

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Root Cause Analysis tools

What Are Common Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Tools?

When you encounter a problem, it is always advisable to get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible. In the business environment, the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a technique that allows people to determine the reasons why a particular problem has occurred. This technique identifies the source of the problem using precise […]

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Techniques for Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Techniques for Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Cause and Effect Diagram, Fishbone Diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is an widely used tool to help users to find the roots causes of the problems they are investigating. The approach combines brainstorming and a concept map. The process has four major steps: identifying the problem; working out the major factors involved; identifying possible causes and […]

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Root Cause Analysis Tool - Fishbone

Root Cause Analysis Tool – The Fishbone

Introduction to Fishbone Diagram Problems are natural and they are inevitable in processes. Problems multiply or tend to exist intensively if they are not figured out at first and with their root cause identification. Strategists today describe root cause as nonconformance, something which is invisible and is more important to be identified than anything else […]

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Unsung Hero Six Sigma Business

How to Market Your CV as a Six Sigma Practitioner

Only the best employees get the best jobs in today’s fast-paced, results-driven business world. Use your skills to your advantage to bolster your career development. Six Sigma and Lean provide yet another reason for your candidacy, as all employers want capable, goal-oriented, enterprising employees to fill their ranks. However, if you don’t market yourself effectively, […]

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Root Cause Analysis (RCA): 5 Whys

Root Cause Analysis (RCA): 5 Whys

One of the tools of continuous improvement, the 5 Whys technique can help, for example, with root cause analysis (RCA) when determining how to solve problems. With 5 Whys you look at the relationship of cause and effect. Your goal is to repeat the question “why?” enough times to get to an answer that will […]

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Six Sigma RCA Training - Decision Trees

How to Create a Decision Tree for Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis is an invaluable skill to have in your Six Sigma toolkit. But how do we use Root Cause Analysis to the best effect? What tool is most helpful for this task? That would be the Decision Tree. This method involves branching between causes and outcomes to illustrate the consequences of your choices. […]

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Step up with Six Sigma Blackbelt

What is the Career Path of a Six Sigma Black Belt?

Six Sigma Black Belts are the lynchpin of many Six Sigma projects. You may know one such person, or maybe you are that person. What about life after the project? What additional opportunities does an SSBB background grant you? Which prospects are best for your career development? Having Black Belt certification listed on your résumé […]

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Avoid complacency and leave your comfort zone!

How to Avoid Complacency and Continually Improve with Six Sigma

Complacency is an epidemic. It kills productivity and can negatively affect your performance. Studies have shown that complacency comes from a lack of engagement, and affects up to 70% of the US working population. This means around three-quarters of American employees are not fully committed to their everyday workplace tasks! As an employer, this should […]

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Lean in with Six Sigma

Lean In: How to Gather Support for Six Sigma in Your Company

Are you prepared to advocate and fully support Lean Six Sigma? If yes, how do you know? If no, how you reach that stage? These questions can be tiresome and their answers difficult to pin down. We’re here to make things easy for you. Today we will help you get ready for Lean Six Sigma (or recognize […]

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six sigma business failure

Becoming Complacent Is Asking for Business Failure

For the businesses that have adapted to the Six Sigma methodology, branding and positioning their company is simple, because those businesses are reinforcing their core mission and what they stand for every single working day. You might say the Six Sigma methodology should be at the core of every business. When a business takes care […]

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It's tempting to let improvements speed by, but don't lose control!

Six Sigma and DMAIC in Focus: C – Control Your Project

This article is the final part in our series on the principles of Six Sigma, focusing on Control within the DMAIC framework. You can find the rest of our series here. If you’ve stuck with us so far, congratulations! If you’re new… go back and read the rest of this series! We are taking a deep-dive into […]

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Branding Six Sigma VOC

The Six Sigma Connection in Branding Your Business

As more businesses start to enter the marketplace, the need for each business to stand out increases. No two businesses are identical; all have their unique strengths and all can stand out in their own special way. That’s why many companies spend the time and money developing a distinctive brand voice for their company. Creating […]

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the internet of things IoT business six sigma programs 6sigma.us

Six Sigma and the Internet of Things (IoT)

Just What is The Internet of Things (IoT)? Gadgets, electronics and devices: we all have them and they fill our world. As the technology improves, so do they! Part of the improvements with these devices is that they are connected to the Internet. Cars, kitchen appliances, personal devices are just some examples of devices that […]

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Six Sigma Training - Anaheim

Upcoming Six Sigma Training: Anaheim/Los Angeles

2016 is here and training is in full swing at 6Sigma.us. We spent the last part of 2015 planning dynamic training agendas, with a global reach! With that in mind, we would like to invite you to join us in sunny Southern California for a comprehensive Six Sigma training event. During this event, we will […]

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picture of santa claus

Santa Implements Lean Six Sigma

After struggling the past few years at Northpole Inc., Santa turned to 6Sigma.us for help in resolving some challenging issues in his business. The past three seasons at Northpole Inc., were lackluster, to say the least. The business was plagued with production and quality issues, affecting the performance and customer expectations of the company. To try […]

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Holiday Retail Shopping Lean Six Sigma Strategies

Using Lean Six Sigma to Ring in Better Customer Service During the Holidays

With the holiday shopping season underway, there’s no better time for retail businesses to shine and be at their best for customers. After all, for many retailers, the holiday season brings in a large percentage of their annual revenue. So store operations must be at their optimal efficiency in order for customers to receive the […]

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Six Sigma in Pharma

Not a Bitter Pill to Swallow After All

Lean Six Sigma is becoming an integral part of the changing face of hospital pharmaceuticals. With the ever changing environment in healthcare, hospitals are changing the way pharmaceuticals are managed and dispensed. Small satellites locations are disappearing in favor of centralized locations, giving the industry the strength in leveraging clinical pharmacists’ expertise. With that process, […]

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