The Six Sigma Mis-Implementation: How to Know if You're a Victim, Before It's Too Late!

Though the benefits of implementing the Six Sigmaof companies that are attempting Six Sigma
strategy to a business's processes can lead to farimplementation. Only 20 percent, therefore, truly benefit
greater successes that could ever have beenfrom what Six Sigma strategies have to offer.
achieved without it. However, this is only the caseBy making incorrect wall-to-wall changes, they
when the implementation of Six Sigma has been doneexperience the struggle of the transition, and never
properly. Unfortunately, this is not always whatreap the rewards that are supposed to come
happens. Mis-implementing Six Sigma can beafterwards in the vastly improved business processes.
extremely damaging to a business.Customers are no more satisfied, product and service
Because Six Sigma often leads to an entire overhaulquality is no higher, and resources are not used any
of every single process and function within a business,better. Even if the business was able to achieve a
its implementation impacts all levels and employees.similar success level to what it was experiencing
When done properly, this means that every employeebefore going through the faulty Six Sigma change, it will
and process will be used to its fullest potential, creatingrarely be able to compensate for the period of
the highest level of quality, and leading to the moststruggle throughout the implementation, when dramatic
successful bottom line. On the other hand, whenspending occurred, and profits were greatly reduced.
implemented improperly, the changes that are madeWhen you make the decision to take advantage of
on every level of an organization's functioning can bewhat Six Sigma has to offer your organization, make
detrimental, if not fatal.certain that the necessary employees receive the
This is what makes it so important for companies thatcorrect and complete training required. Then, be certain
are willing to take on wall-to-wall changes that arethat implementation begins within seventy two hours of
required by Six Sigma to make sure that they havethe completion of that training, while the motivation and
the correct help in applying the strategies. This is thethe understanding is still extremely fresh. By waiting too
only way to ensure that it has been done properly.long after the training, details blur, and it becomes too
Unfortunately, this is not the path taken by 80 percenteasy to implement the wrong processes.