How Much Does Six Sigma Cost?

Most companies contemplating Six Sigmacost of training will help save the cost of consultation
implementation have most of the costs worked outand time, keeping in mind the future projects.
beforehand. This follows the assumption that takingSome Realistic Points Of View
additional work means involving more people. YouThe truth about Six Sigma certification is no one is
either hire people on fee base or recruit them on yourgoing to certify your organization after the
payroll at a cost. Well, then there is the cost ofimplementation, as there is no such certifying standard
implementation above this, which can run into quite ajust yet. This implies that both the implementation and
few thousands of dollars depending upon the projectachievement are relative, although measurable in terms
on hand.of cost saved. But there not yet one single universally
But is that the cost of Six Sigma? There are severalaccepted standard barometer to tell whether the cost
schools of thoughts and arguments about how tosaved is absolute.
arrive at the cost of Six Sigma and one of whichLet's just accept it; it is within the reach of the best
advocates an interesting theory. This appears to beemployees of an organization to pull off wonders for
the closest of all the definitions of Six Sigma.their employer. They can be trained in-house or they
Cost of Six Sigmacan be asked to study 'how to' books and tools by
The cost of Six Sigma is the cost of lost opportunitiesattending a seminar or two. The next best step
due to errand processes or procedures which couldtowards saving cost of Six Sigma is piggy backing on
have been saved had the procedures or theforums and discussion groups. This is absolutely
processes been corrected at the expense of apossible, considering that many small enterprises have
fraction of the cost.done this with great a degree of success.
Cost Consideration Before Project SelectionContinuous self-education, forming of the team and
While contemplating the deployment, one needs tointroduction to not just Six Sigma tools and procedures
think about the composition of the team as well. Thebut to the tools of management and cost give a
composition of the team can be so organized to as tobroader picture. Six Sigma is no magic wand; it takes a
contain the cost of hiring. The big question however, isexcellent analytical and reasoning ability with dedicated
whether the project team be placed within the purviewand sustained efforts towards cost reducing (i.e; when
of the QA department or be kept independent. Shouldwe say problem solving.)
the task force you are considering to form beThe cost of a Black Belt could run from $100,000 or
composed of consulting Black Belts with select internalmore depending on the project at hand. The number
employees or should you purely consider only theof Black Belts is not something which is entirely
freshly trained internal Black Belts? Consider whetherdecided by you if you are hiring Six Sigma consultants.