mbd  SIX SIGMA

 

mbd Partners are experts in leading organizations through the application of Quality Management discipline, including Six Sigma methods and statistical tools, to build Management Capital and drive significant improvements in business performance and bottom-line results.


What is Six Sigma?
Why is it called Six Sigma?
What are principles of Six Sigma?
What are the elements of Six Sigma?
What is new about Six Sigma?
What are the benefits of doing Six Sigma?
How are the benefits of doing Six Sigma measured?
What is required for a successful Six Sigma program?
How does a Six Sigma program work?
Is there an off-the-shelf Six Sigma program?
How can mbd's expertise help your Six Sigma program?


What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is the latest evolution of Quality Management. It is a disciplined approach for improving performance across all organizational functions. It provides well-managed organizations a common set of tools and a common language focused on delivering customer value and improving bottom-line results.

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Why is it called Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is a statistical term used to define the level of process quality as a percentage of defects. This does not mean that there is an acceptable level of failure, only that the target must be to continually reduce errors and defects to the parts per million level implied by a six sigma designation.

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What are the principles of Six Sigma?

These are identical to those of Quality Management:
  • Put the customer first - focus on customer Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) attributes.
  • Involve everyone - train everyone in Six Sigma methods and tools.
  • Manage with facts - use data to identify opportunities, understand root causes and optimize solutions.
  • Measure what is important - link performance metrics to CTQ attributes.
  • Improve continuously - applies to all operational aspects.
  • Have the commitment of top management - active involvement is needed from all employees.
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What are the elements of Six Sigma?

Application of Six Sigma follows a standard, rigorous improvement methodology based on the DMAIC model which includes the following phases:
  • Define opportunities
  • Measure performance
  • Analyze opportunity
  • Improve performance
  • Control performance

Extensive training of personnel in the application of Six Sigma methods and tools is also a key element of a successful program. Master Black Belts, Black Belts, Green Belts, etc., are needed to successfully move Six Sigma projects through each phase of the DMAIC model.

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What is new about Six Sigma?

Six Sigma differs from earlier programs in two significant ways: first, a primary emphasis on customer-focused statistical measurements, and second, an immediate start on solving current business problems.

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What are the benefits of doing a Six Sigma program?

Successful Six Sigma programs have delivered double-digit percentage annual cost reductions and double digit annual percentage growth to many companies. For some companies - like Motorola and GE - this has translated into billions of dollars annually to the bottom-line!

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How are the benefits of doing Six Sigma measured?

Cost of Quality is a key management metric that is integral to Six Sigma. Cost of Quality helps to identify, prioritize and monitor the many improvement opportunities an organization may be faced with.



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What is required for a successful Six Sigma program?

First, the unwavering support of top management both in resource commitment and in personally following Six Sigma principles.

Second, dedicated and expert resources to manage the program.

Third, trained resources dedicated to improvement efforts.

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How does a Six Sigma program work?

The first step is to educate top management on the principles of Six Sigma and its benefits. Concurrently, top management is asked to identify business problems that will form the basis for improvement efforts.

The second step is to broaden the exposure of Six Sigma principles to all management levels and concurrently identify project leaders to define and solve the business issues identified by top management.

The third step is to create and manage project teams to attack these business issues using the Six Sigma DMAIC model.

The final - and crucial - step is to make this a self-sustaining cycle of managing as opposed to a "program".

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Is there an off-the-shelf Six Sigma program?

Emphatically not! Just as no two businesses are alike, no two Six Sigma programs can be alike. The program must be tailored and continually adjusted to suit the needs of the individual business while adhering to core principles. As with any management system, the proof is in the utility and the results, not adherence to some prescribed formula.

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How can mbd's expertise help your Six Sigma program?

mbd can provide the experienced Black Belt leadership and expertise needed to ensure the success of your Six Sigma Program and early improvement projects. By helping you through the learning curve, mbd helps accelerate the benefits to be gained from your Six Sigma Program. mbd takes a hands-on, results-oriented approach that makes management's job easier and improves the bottom line.
  • Proven ability to get business results through management design.
  • Proven ability to work with top management.
  • Full time dedication to the task.

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Contact mbd to learn more about using Six Sigma discipline to build Management Capital.


managementbydesign
542 Plunkett Road, Washington, MA 01223
(413) 655-4519

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