Introduction of Lean Six Sigma & how it works? Introduction of DMAIC methodology. Today in every sector on every skill set Six Sigma delivers huge business excellence and customer satisfaction, also superior profits through improvement in every process in any organization whether it is financial, production, or customer service.
Definition of lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is the fact-based, data-driven philosophy of continuous improvement that values defect prevention over defect detection. It drives customer satisfaction and bottom-line improvement by reducing variation, waste, and cycle time while promoting the use of work standardization and flow, thereby creating a competitive advantage.
Lean Six Sigma can apply anywhere variation and waste exist, and everybody should be involved.
History of Six Sigma?
It was introduced by the American engineer bill smith while working at Motorola in 1986. Pioneered at Motorola in the mid of 1980s, Six Sigma was initially targeted to quantify the defects that occurred during the manufacturing process and reduce those defects.
At that time Motorola claimed to save a million dollars because of the six sigma methodology. People often view Six Sigma as yet another rigorous statistical Quality mechanism.
How does Six Sigma work?
The driving force behind any Six Sigma project come from its primary focus: "bringing breakthrough improvement in a systematic manner by managing variation and reducing the defects of the products and services,"
There are two potential scenarios in Six Sigma projects:
- There is already an existing process that is working 'reasonably' well: In this scenario focused on the significant process or product improvement and required use of DMAIC.
- There is no process in the system: This will be the focus on process or product design using DFSS.
What is the DMAIC methodology?
DMAIC defines steps a six sigma practitioner is expected to follow and starting with identifying the problems and ending with implementing a long-lasting solution to the problem.
* Define, Measure, Analysis, Improvement, and Control
- Define: In the lean Six Sigma projects first of all we define the CTQs (Critical to Quality) and goal statement of the projects as per VOC (Voice of the customer) and requirements.
- Measure: After defining the CTQs (Critical to Quality), we measure the performance of the current process in the context of the goal.
- Analysis: Analyze the current scenario in terms of the cause of variation and defects of the products.
- Improvement: Improve the process by systematically reducing variance and eliminating defects.
- Control: After following the above-mentioned steps we ensure control of the future performance of the process.
Tools are used while Six Sigma practices:
The Six Sigma expert uses qualitative and quantitative techniques or tools to drive continuous process and product improvement.
Below mentioned the tools are included.
- SPC (Statistical Process Map)
- Control Charts
- FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis)
- Process Mapping and many more.
