| Process mapping is an essential tool of Six Sigma | | | | things are going wrong, you are going to be better able |
| Projects that everyone needs to take advantage of. | | | | to fix them so that they can become more effective |
| This allows you to get a visual glimpse of your | | | | processes. People tend to understand the 'show me' |
| business processes and how they are currently | | | | aspect of data analysis better than the 'tell me' aspect. |
| operating, as well as allowing you to see how they | | | | 4. Compliance requirements and standards need to be |
| could be operating better by mapping out potential | | | | met. Using process mapping can help to keep track of |
| solutions. Using process mapping along with other Six | | | | the process improvement projects that you've done, |
| Sigma metrics can prove to be advantageous in | | | | including all the information and details about the |
| determining the who, what, where, when, why, and | | | | process and the control of the improvements. It makes |
| how of problems and also the best possible solutions | | | | for better auditing and understanding within the |
| based on the available information. Here are five | | | | organization. |
| benefits of process mapping in your Six Sigma | | | | 5. Training can be more effective through visualization. |
| Projects: | | | | You can have someone read a 500 page book on Six |
| 1. Pictures are worth 1000 words. If you use charts, | | | | Sigma. You can tell them everything that they need to |
| graphs, and other images, you will easily save yourself | | | | know, and make them write notes to keep track. They |
| the trouble of writing up dozens of pages of | | | | still won't remember as much or understand the |
| information on the processes that need fixing and the | | | | practical application until they have a visual example to |
| data that you've collected. Pictures will serve you | | | | help them understand how things work. |
| much better than a 50 page report in every single | | | | Process mapping used with Six Sigma Projects has |
| instance. | | | | many different advantages and benefits, as you can |
| 2. Process improvement is easier done when it can be | | | | clearly see. Allow yourself some time to figure out |
| analyzed through process mapping. Identifying issues | | | | exactly what you need and how it can best benefit |
| and changing processes is much easier because you | | | | you, and then you will be in a much better place with |
| can pinpoint exact places where changes need to | | | | your business. Six Sigma Projects are very effective |
| happen. | | | | means of process improvement, but can be even |
| 3. Visualizing processes makes the problem clearer | | | | more effective with the addition of process mapping. |
| from the start. When you can physically see where | | | | |