Measuring Six Sigma Benefits

Measuring Six Sigma benefits on a regular basis isany.
necessary because it is only then that a business willOther Important Measurement Components
be able to assess the effectiveness of the ongoingAnother component that requires constant monitoring
Six Sigma implementation project. Keeping the projectand assessments is the operational performance
on the right track is vital for its success, and this is whybenefit that represents the improvements made in the
businesses need to constantly monitor its progress.overall efficiency of the organization. Measuring
Another reason is that deviations and errors can beperformance benefits is necessary because it
fixed only if they are identified at an early stage; leftindicates efficiency improvements of both the
unchecked, such discrepancies can easily lead to theemployees as well as the existing business processes.
termination of the entire project.To make things easier, businesses can select a few
What To MeasureKey Performance Indicators (KPIs) and concentrate
Six Sigma offers a wide range of benefits, so muchtheir efforts on measuring these rather than wasting
so that it would not be feasible or productive totheir time on measuring each and every individual
measure each and every component. This is whycomponent. For better assessments, businesses need
businesses need to concentrate their efforts only onto keep updating their KPI list on a regular basis
those benefits that offer the most value. For example,because overall efficiency being contributed by a
direct financial benefits that accrue to the organizationbusiness process may change with time.
as a result of the implementations should be givenInability to do this may result in faulty measurements
preference.that may not represent the true state of affairs of the
For better results, businesses should make differentorganization concerned.
assessments for different financial benefits that mayMeasuring Six Sigma benefits may not result in any
include components such as cost reductions, costdirect monetary gains, but it is still important because it
avoidance, increase in capacity, revenue growth,functions as an effective control system, allowing the
retained revenue, improved investment income, andmanagement to assess the overall progress of the Six
improved risk management.Sigma implementation project. This is why such
Using individual assessment plans is necessarymeasurements have now become an integral part of
because only then will a business be able to identifySix Sigma implementations and are increasingly being
the root cause that might be preventing theintegrated into the overall management system
implementation project from achieving the set goalsexisting in a business organization.
and objectives.Without these measurements, ensuring the success of
Opting for an overall assessment plan might beSix Sigma implementation projects will become virtually
relatively easier, but should be avoided because then itimpossible.
would become quite difficult to identify root problems, if