How to Maximize The Results of Your Six Sigma Project

By Craig Calvin

An effective Six Sigma Process cannot be achieved without proper support of the improvements that will be made. When it comes to planning Six Sigma Projects, it is essential to ask anyone with a vested interest in the company or organization which projects they think the company is most in need of. This includes getting the input and approval of management, employees, customers, and even shareholders or others with some interest in the company, no matter how small.

Human nature is to resist change, people tend to like things the way they are. But for your business change is often necessary if you want to succeed, and continue to grow. In business, the best way to eliminate resistance to change, and to convince your stakeholders to instead embrace change, is to include the stakeholders in the process from the beginning. When your stakeholders are included in the decision making process, and have their say as to what should change and how, they will not resist the changes. In addition, including your stakeholders in this process will allow for more ideas and give you a better understanding of where the problems are, which should produce more complete solution.

There are many ways to seek the input of all of your stakeholders to include them in the process. You can form focus groups of individuals from each area, to represent their larger group. You can also ask for input via e-mail, or suggestion cards, you can distribute questionnaires; there are many ways to include your stakeholders in the process. In addition to obtaining the input of all of your stakeholders, you should also make sure that you have an individual, or individuals, with advanced Six Sigma training on the project to ensure that the Six Sigma tools and methodologies are being used properly, and that the project is staying on track.

Including all of these groups in your project will most likely result in a longer design process, since there will be more suggestions, and more feedback. The longer this process takes the longer it will be before the change is implemented, and the more expensive the project becomes for your company. While there may be additional expenses during the project, due to the larger number of people, when the project is completed the company should end up with a better quality product, with less defects and waste, which will help offset the larger project costs.

If your Six Sigma project is related to the design of a new product or service, then you are probably using the Six Sigma DFSS methodology to ensure that you are designing the highest quality product possible from day one. If you are looking to continuously improve existing processes or products, through the elimination of defect and increasing efficiency then you are mist likely using the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. In either scenario, the more input you have from every relevant group, the better your chances are for success, and the better it is for your company. - 32179

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