Improving Help Desk Functions by Using Six Sigma Training

Service desks functions are highly customer oriented.collection can be useful to identify process
They are in a position to understand the voice of theimprovement opportunities.
customer and have the data required for Six SigmaMetrics in the Help Desk Function
projects.There are various metrics that can be used to
Areas for application of Six Sigma Training:ascertain the quality of help desk activity. The call
-Customer complaints: Help desk operations inmonitoring function is critical, as it enables agent
themselves are about problem resolution forevaluation and helps in understanding drawbacks of
customers. When a customer faces a situation thatany processes in place. It helps bring about
requires the support of helpdesk staff, they provideaccountability to everyone in the organization.
feedback for the product or service. This helps theSome of the metrics that can be used for analysis
team understand the internal processes that may beand improvement activity are quality objectives,
causing customer dissatisfaction.efficiency objectives and the adherence to schedules.
-Help desk: The internal help desk will have a largeThe evaluation score includes quality of the calls, the
variety of calls to be handled. The helpdesk data willnumber of first calls which have been resolved,
help companies understand what types of calls arecustomer satisfaction scores on it such calls, customer
being received and assist in analyzing the source offeedback and the overall cost of the call. The
such calls. With a full understanding of the resolutionaccuracy in data entry is equally important, as it
process, agents will resolve issues accurately.impacts the percentage of resolutions and errors and
-Employee dissatisfaction: In some cases, employeesrework.
are dissatisfied and view the help desk function as aSix Sigma projects will be beneficial to bring down
problem due to the inefficiency of others in thecosts incurred due to errors and rework. All metrics
organization. This is one more area that needs to beand data can be then prioritized and used for
resolved.improvement projects and sustaining the
-Technology: One area that is perfect for applying Siximprovements. The added advantage is that of having
Sigma is technology - what kind is being used, reviewa competitive edge over competitors. Companies will
of existing systems and the effect that thebe giving better value to service providers and
improvement will have on the performance of thebecome true business partners.
duties of help desk staff.Any big achievement happens over a period of time -
-Call monitoring: The monitoring of calls received isit is not an instant process. Systematic usage of Six
done separately by a few people in charge ofSigma for help desk functions will help bring about high
monitoring. It can be used to find out if data is beinglevels of customer satisfaction, which is relevant to the
used or if it would be useful in bringing about changessuccess of any organization.
or improvements in processes. The appropriate data