Beginning a Six Sigma Initiative

You cannot have a project-specific vision whenPerhaps a pointed checklist may be very handy in
beginning a Six Sigma initiative. It is essential that youcritically questioning each strategic step of all involved
develop a perspective with a comprehensive and anphases.
all-encompassing viewpoint that reaches out of theUnless the draft strategy is scrutinized, you never
scope of the project on hand.know whether deployment can yield results or the
Begin the Project Selection with the Right Initiativewhole exercise becomes a futile pipe dream.
Select the project for Six Sigma implementation afterBrainstorming is another formidable tool that evolves a
weighing priorities. This does not mean that you shouldcollective opinion on which foundation lies the legitimacy
dive at the most pressing problem first without lookingfor the journey ahead. At no point in time can the
at constraints. Here is a brief guideline for projectproject leaders and the Black Belts can afford to
selection as initiation of Six Sigma.forget the huge sums of money at stake.
1. Not all projects incur or help save same amounts ofMonitoring and Factoring In the Midway Course
money. This infers that apart from monetaryCorrection
considerations, you should look at weighted aspectsThere are unforeseen deviations that remain
such as simplifying draconian procedures, improvementundetected and flowing parallel. Scheduled midway
of employee satisfaction and the potential to produceauditing by the internal or external Six Sigma auditing
an outstanding and exemplary result that instigatesteam must throw light on any deviation. The auditing
further improvement projects.team could be drawn from the implementation team of
2. Decision about Belts and their placement makesBlack Belts with the Master Black Belt or the
way for some of the tough steps while initiating a SixChampion to head it.
Sigma project. Analyze the long term cost benefits ofWhat you must keep in mind is that unchecked
recruiting Black Belts keeping in view the present daydeviations could drive the deployment efforts in new
affordability. Grooming belts in-house is another provenundesirable directions uprooting the vision of
option.management.
3. Subdividing the project deployment into 2 or 3More Initiatives
phases like the strategic phase, tactical phase andEach organization must find its own way of coming
operational phase which systematically uses andout of a problem. Nothing depends entirely on the
follows statistical tools for analyses which help takedeployment team. Here are a few suggestions in this
the imperatives beyond the line employee level.direction.
Scrutinize The Project Deployment Strategy In The1. Establish the channels of communication for the
Backdrop of Top and Bottom Line ImprovementsBelts.
Before you get going with the implementation, it2. Establish a core group to implement the findings of
becomes the imperative next step for the leadershipthe deployment team.
to contrast the projected outcome of the project3. Keep training a constant activity.
against the goals of management. The goals can be4. Implement the survey outcomes of internal
thought of as reflections of the Voice of Customers.customers.