The Five Kinds of Six Sigma Projects: Infrastructure Implementation

The Six Sigma methodology gains its success by decreasing variability and the chance of production errors throughout a process. However, most business processes require modifications and changes to these rewards. Where a simplified production line may be efficiently running at its current rate, an increase in volume might jeopardize this. Yet, you can avoid this issue by proactively preventing system errors and even failures. Although, how an organization properly assess a process can impact how successful they are at preventing future setbacks. For Six Sigma professionals, the use of statistical data and analysis to monitor and improve a business process is known as Infrastructure Implementation. In today’s article, we will look at this fifth type of Six Sigma project, what it is, and why you should use it.

What is ‘Infrastructure Implementation’?

In most industries, the best way to solve a problem is to prevent from happening in the first place. When using Six Sigma methodology, such as DMAIC, you can achieve exactly this. For Infrastructure Implementation projects, professionals assess a current process and analyze where to make improvements. Unlike the previous Six Sigma project types, a complete rebuild or redesign of a process is not necessary. If the efficiency of one process is beginning to decrease, you can execute an Infrastructure Implementation project to find, locate, and resolve the system’s error.

Additionally, Infrastructure Implementation projects analyze the current capacity of business processes and see where growth can be made. If a system is underperforming or overworked, chances are, improvements can be made. What this type of Six Sigma projects aims to do is to improve the overall efficiency and utilization of currently available business processes.

Why Use Infrastructure Implementation Projects?

The need for an Infrastructure Implementation project varies from an organization. While some may wish to up the capacity of a current manufacturing assembly line, others may want to improve the efficiency of data organization for a logistical process. Regardless of the reason, Infrastructure Implementation projects prove to work for those who follow its set model. When followed correctly, companies and organizations can better understand their current infrastructure, finds ways to improve it, and increase their overall efficiency.

First, employers will design the existing process as it is and outline areas for improvement. Next, the project team simulates the process after making certain changes analyzes their results. This step offers both flexibility and guidance when searching for the most effective changes to make. Then, after agreeing to the changes, the team executes the process with the new design. Following this, project managers will monitor the process and measure the changes that occur. Finally, after the altered process proves effective, the project team will research ways to optimize and improve its efficiency.

Who Manages Infrastructure Implementations?

Because Infrastructure Implementation projects entail multiple parts and depend solely on the organization, who works on and manages them can greatly depend. However, managerial roles, such as project managers and data analysists will most likely be senior Six Sigma professionals. These include Green and Black Belts, moving upwards to Master Black Belts. For this reason, younger, less experienced Six Sigma professionals will carry out the ground work and man power behind the implementation. This includes collecting and organization data, preparing the processes for upcoming changes, and monitoring the progress made.