| In order to ensure a successful Six Sigma 'roll-out', it is | | | | deployment of Six Sigma because the information is |
| important to choose the right area upon which to | | | | sure to reveal some of the current problems that need |
| focus. Prior to the roll out, a study needs to be done | | | | solving. Problematic patterns can be eliminated, making |
| on the present core processes to determine where | | | | transition from the old culture to Six Sigma culture |
| any problems might lie. In other words, one can ask | | | | smoother. |
| where the defects and deviations that regularly halt | | | | Another way to grease the deployment of Six Sigma |
| production lie, slowing down business processes. A | | | | is to study and collate information on the history of the |
| prime example would be a bottleneck created by | | | | industry including benchmarks, with emphasis on the |
| insufficient servers feeding out paperwork leading to | | | | cost of doing business. This study should focus on |
| too many printers busy and running. If the servers can't | | | | what it costs to turn out a quality product. At the same |
| generate enough work, the processes of the | | | | time, the study should quantify the savings to be |
| company automatically stall. The answer is bigger, | | | | gained by taking control of the core process through a |
| faster and better servers or software to eliminate the | | | | successful deployment of Six Sigma. This study should |
| bottleneck. A successful deployment of Six Sigma | | | | look at such factors as rejects, software bugs, design |
| would deal with this situation. | | | | defects, over processing, over production, inventory |
| The next step would be collecting comprehensive data | | | | backlog, wasted time, and under-utilized staff. |
| derived from observing the processes. This | | | | Successful deployment of Six Sigma also depends on |
| observation can involve information from targeted | | | | what are referred to as soft skills. Skills like listening, |
| focus groups, experiments, surveys and personal | | | | impulse control, finding solutions, hands on coaching, and |
| interviews for example. Another study would gather | | | | training as needed are a few skills that may be |
| information from indirect sources like previously | | | | employed. Other good soft skills to use are the ability |
| published surveys and studies, or event logs and | | | | to stay cool under pressure, showing constant energy, |
| maybe even complaint logs. Collecting and reviewing | | | | and demonstrating positive enthusiasm about the Six |
| this information makes it easier to have a successful | | | | Sigma culture. |