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News Release from: SPECIAL REPORT by the Editor | Subject: Six Sigma
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 September 2007
The role of Six Sigma in production and
service
Six Sigma uses a mixture of statistical tools and other techniques to first, identify areas that can be improved, then control and improve processes, writes Jon Hobden.
The term Six Sigma and its constitution originated at the Motorola company, accredited to Bill Smith and was created to eliminate waste, reduce variation in output and prevent defects in goods (operational), although the principles can be used in service offering too (transactional) The term Six Sigma, a registered service and trade mark of Motorola, uses a mixture of statistical tools and other techniques to first, identify areas that can be improved, then control and improve processes
The company has claimed more than $16bn in savings resulting from using Six Sigma.
Six Sigma is essentially a distillation of quality and quality control philosophies and methodologies, including SPC, TQM (total quality management), Zero Defects and the teachings of Deming.
It involves continuous evaluation of business and manufacturing processes for deviations, the measurement, analysis, improvement and control of production and business processes and commitment from all levels in the organisation to sustaining quality improvements.
Six Sigma has been implemented as a methodology in a number of high-profile, large companies and adopted in thousands around the globe, in industries as diverse as Aerospace and retail.
However, success has not always been the outcome.
Many organisations report lack of commitment, often at the highest level - where it is most crucial - as the deciding factor in its effectiveness but relevance is also a major factor.
For example, a single-product manufacturing firm can apply Six Sigma much more easily, and observe positive outcomes well before, organisations providing services or more people-based product.
Where defects are predominantly in personnel because they are delivering the service, continuous improvement is harder to determine and measure.
Training is an essential part of introducing Six Sigma and there are many providers.
Training aims to primarily verse all those involved with the techniques and benefits of narrowing variance in all processes; in other words, consistency.
Trainees are shown how reductions in variance improves quality, reduces scrap, increase customer and employer satisfaction and engender better working practices and relationships - as well as a host of other benefits including increased profitability, which normally (but not necessarily) translates into better employee remuneration.
Six Sigma Qualtec offers courses for both manufacturing and transactional organisations to Black Belt with a month of practical application to follow.
Six Sigma Qualtec claims extensive experience, at home and abroad, having a large base of customers big and small in production and service environments.
Its courses are run on the basis that, following instructor-based sessions, during which trainees successfully complete project-based tasks, on-the-job training and assessment will satisfy the remaining requirements of the black belt scheme.
TMS Insight Group lists courses on process improvement, as well as Six Sigma on its training programme.
The Six Sigma courses include comprehensive green belt and black belt schedules and the modules are listed on the company's web site.
Courses can be delivered in-house.
Information about a range of products and courses available, including books and videos, can be found on the Manufacturingtalk web site.
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