Six Benefits Of Six Sigma In Systems Management

Over the last couple of decades, Six Sigma today has indeed become a household word. It’s been popularized by Jack Welch et al and was even employed by the U.S. government to fight the war on terror. The fact to be considered here is that Six Sigma methodology has served diverse customer bases. Anybody you ask, Six Sigma may be explained as a philosophy, a strategy, or a tool.

The Greek letter Sigma (σ) is employed by statisticians to point the variation in a process. Under Six Sigma (6σ) environment, the degree for variability is reduced to 3.4 problems per million opportunities.

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is defined here as, “a data based, fact-driven philosophy of improvement that values error prevention over error detection.”

Six Sigma is:

A Business Strategy: With Six Sigma Methodology, a business can strategize its plan of action to increase revenue, reduce cost and improve processes across the organization.

A Vision: Six Sigma Methodology helps the Senior Management create a vision to create an error-free, positive environment to the organization.

A Benchmark: Six Sigma Methodology improves process metrics. Once the improved process metrics are stable; Six Sigma methodology again can be used to further improve upon the current stabilized process metrics.

A Goal: Using Six Sigma methodology, organizations can keep a higher goal for themselves and work towards achieving them in as per fixed timelines. The right use of the methodology often leads these organizations to attain these goals.

A Statistical Measure: Six Sigma methodology is a data-driven. Statistical Analysis is employed to spot root-causes of the obstacle. Additionally, Six Sigma methodology measures the process performance using its own Sigma unit.

A Robust Methodology: Six Sigma is the only documented methodology for problem-solving. If employed properly, Six Sigma improvements are bullet-proof and they achieve high yielding returns.

Though “Six Sigma” is a measure of quality. However; Six Sigma is merely a business initiative, not a top-quality initiative.

Six Benefits of Six Sigma Methodology

Conclusion:

Irrespective of an organization’s industry or size, Six Sigma methodology offers a unique approach to problem-solving in terms of Six Sigma projects. To avail benefits or fruits of Six Sigma methodology, a Six Sigma Yellow or Green or Black or Master Black Belt project needs to be implemented.

During the journey of Six Sigma, an organization will begin to experience transformation & excellence. Post completion of several rounds of projects in multiple critical & non-critical functions, the newly established organization culture will help the leadership team to start finding faults in poor process design instead of the employees. Six Sigma will help management to develop empowered employees to single out and drive improvement ideas.