While we usually examine DMAIC vs. DMADV here in our Six Sigma blog, we would like to show the similarities here to another methodology often seen in the business world, known as the SMART goal template, and show there is a correlation that’s just too obvious not to compare. What is the SMART goal template? […]
We all know about the history of Six Sigma and the great alliances such as Robert Galvin and Motorola, as well as Jack Welch with General Electric (GE). Were these marriages between man and a large company an anomaly that can’t be replicated, or does the magic of Six Sigma still happen and is something […]
Six Sigma methodologies focus on improving processes by reducing waste and defects. So in the world of Six Sigma, is multitasking considered bad? Well it depends. If the computer you are using has a program that is able to execute a few jobs at once, then the answer is no. The reason for this is […]
Let’s face it, having a neat clean and organized workspace makes work easier and a pleasure. The same can be said for any home closet or home office. The best prevention and defense tool to make a perfectly organized and clean space is none other than the Lean Six Sigma 5S tool. A Quick Review […]
One of Six Sigma’s core beliefs is to do away with any waste. This means if it doesn’t bring value to your product or service, it is waste. So let us shed light on Non-value added processing in Six Sigma. Depending on the industry your business is serving, non-value added processing can be anything from […]
You might as well call them the 7 deadly sins of waste! Here in this infographic we’ve outlined the 7 wastes of Lean: Overproduction: although its intention comes from a place of optimism, it is a huge waste. Overproduction is very costly, both in revenue and storage, and also makes it very difficult to notice […]
Have you ever had a manager at work who made things just run smoothly, with everyone doing their job, following protocol and keeping up a great attitude? If you were lucky enough to experience this euphoria, then you were in the presence of what it takes to be a Six Sigma Champion. The determination and […]
The genius of Six Sigma is the product of a having a great lineage. Eli Whitney and Henry Ford were motivated by efficiency, doing more in less time. Whitney gave us the uniformity system, and Ford gave us the automotive assembly line. The use of machinery made better use of time by producing more in […]
So let’s say that your business has a lot of issues that need fixing. So you may be considering having a Kaizen event. Well, this is a great idea because having a Kaizen event is the quickest way to improve processes that are sluggish, just as long as the improvements are within the scope of […]
The beauty of Six Sigma methodology and Lean Six Sigma tools are their simplicity and versatility. Today, let’s talk about kanban boards. Originally created by Taiichi Ohno for Toyota in the 1940’s, kanban boards help visualize the current work in progress. The kanban board physically can be a simple white board with post-it sticky notes […]
There are many great tools and templates used in Six Sigma, and today we are going to spend a little time with PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act). PDCA is a template or cycle used for problem solving. W. Edwards Deming originally created PDCA way back in the 1950s, and his intentions were to use PDCA with a continuous […]
The genius of Six Sigma DMAIC is that you use it to improve on existing processes on products or services that already exist, so that what is being done in the existing processes is bringing value to the product or service, therefore meeting the customer’s requirements. More specifically, Six Sigma DMAIC is a structured methodology […]
When we have a problem or issue, we need to get to the root of that problem, otherwise that problem won’t go away. The specific problem will keep happening, because like a bad weed, it will keep popping its ugly, annoying head up and cause the same issue. Root cause analysis (RCA) is a specific technique […]
When problem solving, staying in an organized systematic path is extremely important, otherwise new issues could arise. That’s why the Lean Six Sigma approach called A3 is so genius. Basically, the A3 process is a structured template for solving problems in a continuous matter. The A3 approach is also known as SPS, which stands for […]
Here’s a basic overview of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and when it’s used. DFSS is used when you want to create a new product, service or process. After reviewing your current existing product, service, or process, you realize that process making improvements still won’t close the gap of what is required by your customer […]
Believe it or not, there is a way of prioritizing tasks that is considered correct, meaning there isn’t idle or wasted time from one task to the next. Each task is layered on top of the previous one, with the end resulting in a well-constructed process for your business. Is it possible to run your […]
Establishing a strong brand is one of the most important things you can do for your business. But what is branding? By definition, it is the practice of creating a name, symbol or logo that for a product or service, creating an image in the consumer’s mind. A strong brand should differentiate a product or service […]
It is a good habit to always review the basic principles of any practice, and Six Sigma isn’t any different. The most pertinent information is in the basic information you learn at the beginning of any practice. What is Six Sigma? Six Sigma is a data-based methodology that uses a systematic approach to reduce errors […]
Six Sigma methodologies have had so much success, mainly because it is data-driven. In other words, the data will give you all the information, and based on that information you will know how to proceed. It is working smart without guessing or using the luck of the draw, so the Analyze Phase of DMAIC deserves […]
In the quick world of technology — where many companies try to do away with the middleman and cutting corners is a way of life — Lean Six Sigma might seem like taking the long way to cross the street. The irony is that cutting corners doesn’t work if you aren’t cutting the correct corners. […]
