In Six Sigma as in life, there is one simple way to clear up a problem, and that is to get to root cause of that problem. In other words, instead of treating the symptoms or putting a band-aid on the issue, let’s find out what is causing the issue or problem. One such Six […]
Six Sigma training can make you an asset for just about any employer. An MBA could land you a strong salary. Both are powerful tools that can be used to drive your career advancement, but which is better? For us, the answer is simple: they both have merit and are both good to have. This […]
Six Sigma and Lean principles drive change, allowing businesses to seek out and eliminate waste, cultivate process improvement, and transform profit margins. But the question is, can they be used in the education sector? And how will their application benefit you? Today we answer these questions as we look at how you can apply vital […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
When owning a business success is obviously the number one thing on any entrepreneur’s mind. There are many different routes that can be taken to get to the top. One of the new and inventive ways to run a successful business involves the Kata improvement process. Kata is a Japanese invented way to make a […]
We are all actively seeking to improve ourselves. It does not matter if we are working on improving ourselves as individuals, or the company that we work for, constant change is the key to success. Kaizen and Kata go hand-in-hand, when it comes to small-scale improvements. They are very much the same, but they have […]
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, […]
Six Sigma is a scientific approach which employs a high variety of tools within its DMAIC cycle that aims on the ultimate goal of reducing variation in a specified process. Pareto Charts: In order to have a successful Six Sigma project it is first essential to focus on the correct process. How can we determine […]
Lean is a popular methodology for process improvement in the business sphere. Its main goal is to make the business, operational, and manufacturing processes more efficient and help them yield higher quality of outcomes and results. Implementing Lean with its particular philosophy should be a company-wide endeavor and could bring a lot of benefits both […]
Six Sigma is an approach to quality-control and business process improvement that was developed by Motorola in the mid-80s which strives to virtually remove imperfections and flaws altogether. Its main focus was to reduce manufacturing defects to miniscule proportions through constant evaluation and improvement. Since then, Six Sigma has evolved into a philosophy that deals […]
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 […]
Let’s look here at techniques for achieving Lean process improvements. When you begin to address a problem or improve a process some good techniques to get off to a good start include: • Determine the problem and process to address • Use a project charter What is a project charter? It is a document you […]
DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control and is an important tool used by those who work on Six Sigma projects. The DMAIC cycle looks at data driven improvement. The improvement helps a business optimize its processes and business results. You should know that to properly use this tool you must follow the […]
When it comes to a healthy workplace, it is safe to say that organization and careful planning are two of the key factors that go into making sure the business is set up for success. If there is no organization, things start to fall through, communication breaks down, and before you know it, everyone is […]
Six Sigma is a practice the modern business simply cannot do without. Employed in companies around the world, Six Sigma is transforming business projects for the better. But what types of project is Six Sigma useful for? Can Six Sigma be used for software projects? Software projects are not quite the same as product and […]
Let’s look now at a tie-in of Kaizen 5S. Kaizen provides the philosophical framework of continuous improvement. But what is 5S? What is 5S and how does it relate to Kaizen? While Kaizen is a general approach to improvement, 5S is a way to lay the groundwork for improvement. The two go hand in hand with […]
Even structured companies experience chaos and disorganization. These can come in the form of redundant work by employees, outdated documentation, and duplication in processes. This does not only cause stress to employees but it can also mean financial losses to the company. It is important to take note that processes are not chaotic in the […]
There are many different ways to turn into a more productive person. Most of the existing methods give you certain tools to help get certain aspects of your life under control. The problem with these small productivity methods is that they focus on small aspects of your life, and not the big picture. Luckily, Kaizen […]
