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 […]
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 […]
Whether you are a new practitioner or seasoned pro, mistakes are inevitable in complex projects. In fact, the saying goes that you aren’t a true project manager before your first catastrophe. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from the mistakes of others (Lessons Learned, to those in the know!). Below are the top […]
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. […]
How important is work experience and on the job training when potential employers look at candidates for a particular position? You can say it is very important! Let us start with an example of two college students at rival schools. Both are exceptional students, exceptional human beings with extra-curricular activities to show that they can […]
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 […]
Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Lean. You might have heard of them. People throw these terms around a lot nowadays, often interchangeably. But what do they mean? What makes them different? And are they so similar? Remember, each tool solves specific, specialized problems. This article will help you get to the bottom of this mystery so you […]
Is your company using Six Sigma to improve efficiency, eliminate waste, and minimize variation? Six Sigma has been a proven success for many businesses around the world dealing with similar problems. But where do these issues come from? How do they arise? And most importantly why? Six Sigma DMAIC teaches you to Define, Measure, Analyze, […]
This article is the third in our three-part series to help you achieve the best results using Six Sigma. You can read the previous two articles here. Now, go! You’ve made your plans and assembled your team, but what comes next is not always as easy (or as difficult!) as it may first appear. The […]
Six Sigma represents a vast collection of tools that can be used for improving the way your company does business. One of the most popular and powerful is a DOE. Let’s take a look at how to get the most from this incredible tool. Begin with Your Factors in Mind: You can’t do a successful […]
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 […]
Introduction In fast pace digital world where business has gone even more competitive and risky, the need is of predictable strategic methodologies. Design of Experiment (DOE) is one such strategic method that provides strategists a road map to condition their business process. It is a systematic method to improve business activity. How it happens, how […]
DOE or Design of experiments helps identify the various factors that affect the productivity and the outcomes of a particular process or a design. The individual influence of the factors as well as the interactive power of these factors to influence the outcome comes to light through an efficient design of experiment. The trial and […]
This article is the first in our three-part series to help you achieve the best results using Six Sigma. Today we focus on planning a successful Six Sigma project. You can read parts 2 and 3 here. Now, on your marks . . . If you’re new to Six Sigma, or just want to […]
The proven record of Six Sigma speaks for itself. There isn’t anything in the Six Sigma methodology that is theoretical. As shown in the below infographic, General Electric saved $12 billion after implementing Six Sigma. Check out the 5 important benefits of Six Sigma implementation: Understanding the Foundation: DMAIC The foundation of the Six […]
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 […]
This article is the fourth part in our series on the principles of Six Sigma, focusing on Improve within the DMAIC framework. You can find the rest of our series here. Day four now sees us approaching the end of our DMAIC in focus series. Today, we will be looking at how to improve ourselves, and our projects, […]
Every business that exists has an unsung hero. The employee that gets the work done without being told, who is at work on time and ready to do their best. Unfortunately, many managers and supervisors, in the quest to motivate the staffers that may need motivation, forget those who are really holding down the fort. […]
