Motorola introduced the idea of Six Sigma to reduce defects. They sought to match the quality standards their competitors were able to achieve.
So, what is Six Sigma?
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Originally, Six Sigma was a metric for a quality standard
Now, it is much more. You can see Six Sigma as a:
- methodology to achieve quality
- toolset for business improvement
- management approach that dominates the company’s culture
- basis for a huge consulting and training business
Six Sigma offers performance improvement processes on top of existing processes.
The Six Sigma method focuses on understanding customers’ requirements better and eliminating defects and waste.
The Benefits of Six Sigma
The primary benefits are:
- Improved quality
- Reduced waste
- And therefore reduced cost
- And so, increased customer satisfaction
Training for Six Sigma
Six Sigma training uses the metaphor of colored belts, lifted from Japanese martial arts.
Yellow Belt
Typically one to two weeks’ training to learn to use the basic tools of Six Sigma.
Green Belt
Typically two to three weeks’ additional training, to handle problem-solving tasks, leading small teams. Green belts often do much of the work on a Six Sigma initiative.
Black Belt
Black belts lead six sigma teams. You typically need
- Extra 2 to 4 weeks’ training
- experience of 2 or more 6-s projects
- passing a test
Master Black Belt
Train, mentor, and advise black belts.
If you need Six Sigma Training…
OnlinePMCourses recommends GreyCampus Six Sigma training, which covers Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma training and Yellow, Green, and Black Belt levels.
Six Sigma Offers a Peerless Toolset
Six sigma has a large toolset of business performance improvement tools:
- DMAIC problem solving (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control)
- DMADV design process (Define, Measure, Analyse, Design, Verify)
- 5 Whys
- Fishbone (Ishikawa) analysis
- SIPOC – Supplier, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customer
- 5 Cs
- Box Plots
- FMEA – Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Relevance of Six Sigma to Project Management
Six Sigma process improvement projects tend to be 3-6 months in duration. They usually follow the DMAIC lifecycle (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control).
A project is typically led by a Six Sigma Black belt, working on the project full time, with Green belt team or workstream leaders.
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What Kit does a Project Manager Need?
I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own.
Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs
Note that the links are affiliated.
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