Archive for September, 2009

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Losing Weight Using The Power of Hypnosis

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Theme and variations. Losing weight has maybe the most popular and well marketed solutions ever advertised. That is because losing weight loss is hard. But is most of the problem really only avoiding the things necessary to shedding pounds? We know that lifestyle change - exercise and diet - is needed to get healthy and look and feel better. That’s usually where the best of intentions fail. Self discipline is lacking.

Legions of personal trainers, food plans delivered to your door, pills, and crazy expensive exercise equipment all have become cogs in the weight loss industry.

I get pretty confused. Bet you do to. When you Google weight loss the incredible array of products that you get are mind boggling. A lot, if not most, are pretty phony. And the information you get is usually conflicting. Too my fat and protein, too many carbs, not enough vegetable. ab reducers, meal plans, equipment, on and on…. It changes constantly because some new affiliate or ebook comes out and fights for your dollars.

The first thing anybody says when you ask them why they do not exercise (provided they are otherwise healthy) is lack of time. But almost everybody agrees exercise will change your life for the better. It is about prioritizing and self-discipline.

Hypnosis can help with self-discipline and kick-start your weight loss plan.

There are tons of studies, pro and con, about how hypnosis does or does not work. They all seem to agree on one thing though: That under the correct circumstances hypnosis can work in a positive way to help individuals change their lives. At worst, hypnosis does not work as advertised.

This isn’t the place to discuss all the pros and cons of hypnosis. But a good place to start is removing any nonsense about putting folks in trances or making them do silly things. It simply consists of someone who is receptive being guided by suggestion. Self discipline in weight loss comes from changing lifestyle. Hypnosis focuses someone so that they can prioritize their outlook and discipline enough to make those changes. While completely relaxed you can deeply learn them to improve. It really is that simple to learn how to do the things you know you must to achieve weight loss.

This is all self rewarding after you start seeing your body - and emotional well-being - change. You are going to do it more. That really is how hypnosis can help you learn to get the self-discipline to lose weight.

Changing you behavior and losing weight does not include hypnotic magic. It is simply focusing, relaxing, and responding to suggestions that are in your own interests - getting healthy and staying sveldt and sexy.

Susan Watson is certified in hypnosisand her office has been in Northeast FL over 10 years. She concentrates onchanging stress responses and behaviors over people such as smoking, weight loss, phobias, and sleep problems. She treats people from throughout Northeast Florida. http://www.affiliatedhypnosis.com/services.htm

Six Sigma

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Six Sigma

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.


Law Firm PM Watch: Seyfarth Shaw's Six Sigma program highlighted …

Seyfarth Shaw’s Six Sigma program, “Seyfarth Lean”, has been getting a lot of press recently. Following on a mention in BusinessWeek, the law firm’s Six Sigma program was highlighted in a recent article in the ABA Journal. …


Success in Simulation » Blog Archive » Six Sigma and Simulation …

This is a three part series on Six Sigma, Lean Sigma, and Simulation. The first blog will explain the Six Sigma methodology and the bridge to simulation analysis and modeling while the second and third parts will describe the uses of …


Six Sigma Blogs: Lean vs Six Sigma

Immediately purchase and download Six Sigma project examples, research and training tools. store.isixsigma.com. 6s Recruiting. We can help you staff your org, in weeks! Call us at 847-919-0922 x8857 to get started. jobs.isixsigma.com/ …


Are you on Facebook? We are… | Going Beyond Lean Six Sigma and the …

Here at Smarter Solutions, we value providing each person with value-add, everyday tools to complete their jobs. From our vast array of technical resources.


Is Six Sigma Good for Contact Centers?

Just lately I have been researching into Six Sigma in the contact center. While I am sure the consultants have good intentions, it seems to me that there is a danger that much of the written summary of these efforts distract …

Six Sigma

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

Six Sigma

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Friday, September 18th, 2009


Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Six Sigma

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Six Sigma

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.


Quality control or innovation - The Intangible Economy

I know that there is an ongoing debate whether quality methodologies like six sigma are antithetical to innovation (because they stress standardization and elimination of variation). But take a look at BusinessWeek’s recent article Six


Innovating While Getting Things Done | Tactical Philanthropy

I have to admit that for a long time I was highly skeptical of design thinking’s ability to operate in a Six Sigma environment and I was once quoted in the Economist as saying that it was toxic to innovation. I don’t think that anymore. …


Success in Simulation » Blog Archive » Six Sigma and Simulation …

This is a three part series on Six Sigma, Lean Sigma, and Simulation. The first blog will explain the Six Sigma methodology and the bridge to simulation analysis and modeling while the second and third parts will describe the uses of …


Deployment of Lean Six Sigma Training as a Business Management and …

A traditional training and hunt for Lean Six Sigma project approach often stalls out when times get tough. Need business predictive metric integration system.


Application of Lean Six Sigma Tools and Answering the Right …

In the spirit of continuous improvement need effective Master Black Belt coaching from someone who experienced in the wise application of lean six sigma tools.

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Six Sigma - Not Just a Passing Fancy

Six Sigma has become a culture and a way of life for many industries big and small, manufacturing and service industries alike.

The aim of Six Sigma is to achieve sustained improvements, which is possible through the use of tools and techniques and controls systems.

Reasons Why Six Sigma Has Endured Over the Years

Six Sigma has endured over a period of time due to the underlying fact that it is a methodology that aims to achieve long term success based on a very sound decision making process.

Another important reason is the discipline in effective execution of the project using a large variety of tools and techniques.

A major factor for the success of any organization is the innovativeness of those involved to bring about higher productivity levels.

Other reasons for its sustainability are listed here:

• Association with Finance: For any company to have greater levels of productivity and profitability as well as higher levels of savings, it is necessary that the finance department be involved to validate any improvements.

In a Six Sigma project, the finance department is involved mainly to estimate, validate or control phases. For a quality initiative, when the statistical figures are converted into financial terms, top management also finds it easier to relate to them and get involved in the different phases as required.

A comparison process that is measurable can ensure better participation of team members and bring about better results.

• Based on quality metrics: Six Sigma is based upon quality metrics that will give team leaders the answers to how well a certain process has been accomplished.

However, sometimes Six Sigma projects also involve productivity metrics that answer the question ‘how many’. When quality metrics are defined, the Six Sigma project will surely succeed.

• Training for a select few: Six Sigma training is not conducted throughout the organization for all employees. A few employees with good technical and social skills are selected for Six Sigma trainings.

These members are seen as future leaders and are trained in facilitation, statistical tools and other methods. These members also learn about project management and can tackle different improvement initiatives.

• Statistical thinking: Six Sigma is based on statistical thinking and not on intuition. However, there are times when team members fail to understand the concept of variation and standard deviation.

This leads them to resort to intuition-based decision-making.

• Suits all types of organizations: The best thing about Six Sigma is that it does not have a one-size-fits for all settings.

It can be molded to suit the needs of organizations of all sizes and types.

• Applied training: The Six Sigma training methodology is given as a week of training and another 3 weeks of applying techniques learned to get hands-on experience.

This methodology helps to bridge knowledge and achieved skills.

• Process improvements: Six Sigma allows the organization and management to invest in eradicating chronic problems and to improve the infrastructure.

Trained teams work towards investigating and preventing root causes of problems and improve processes in numerous ways.

With such a sound approach to problems faced by organizations, Six Sigma has every reason to grow in the years ahead.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.