How does the implementation of six sigma, benefit the quality improvement of a project?
The aim of each organization is bring out the best of its products, with reduced coast and time, to meet the customer satisfaction and to compete the global marketing. This is possible only through the production of defect-free products. If the products developed are defect-free, then it is sure that the result of the project is equipped to meet the customer needs. This defect-free products can be made through the quality improvement with in an organizational processes. The implementation of six sigma methodology helps an organization in quality improvement.
“The quality performance” is the foundation stone of all types of industries. The growth of an industry depends on its performance quality. So checking out of the performance quality of an industry is something which is inevitable. “SIX SIGMA” – The statistical representation, is a process of quality measurement, which helps the organization in the improvement of their quality.
Six Sigma is a systematical process of “quality improvement through the disciplined data-analyzing approach, and by improving the organizational process by eliminating the defects or the obstacles which prevents the organizations to reach the perfection”.
Six sigma points out the total number of the defects that has come across in an organizational performance. Any type of defects, apart from the customer specification, is considered as the defect, according to Six Sigma. With the help of the statistical representation of the Six Sigma, it is easy to find out how a process is performing on quantitatively aspects. A Defect according to Six Sigma is nonconformity of the product or the service of an organization.
Since the fundamental aim of the Six Sigma is the application of the improvement on the specified process, through a measurement-based strategy, Six Sigma is considered as a registered service mark or the trade mark. Six Sigma has its own rules and methodologies to be applied. In order to achieve this service mark, the process should not produce defects more than 3.4. These numbers of defects are considered as “the rate of the defects in a process should not exceed beyond the rate 3.4 per million opportunities”. Through the Six Sigma calculation the number of defects can be calculated. For this there is a sigma calculator, which helps in the calculation.
For the improvement and development of the quality of the performance and the products, six sigma methodology has its own theories and steps. There are two types of methods followed by six sigma methodology. They are the Six Sigma DMAIC and the Six Sigma DMADV. These sub-divisions are considered as the processes and the execution of these processes are done through three certifications. The three types of certifications used for the execution of the Six Sigma DMAIC and Six sigma DMADV are:
“Six Sigma Green Belts and Six Sigma Black Belts, which is overseen by Six Sigma Master Black Belts”.
The DMAIC is used to improve an existing business process, while DMADV is used either for creating a new product or for process designs for predictable and defect free performance. By DMAIC it means giving importance to defining, measuring, analyzing, improving and controlling a process to meet its better quality. The implementation of the six sigma methodology, helps in providing a logical sequence for existing concepts and the problem solving tools, by sufficient repackaging of the tools and concepts. Moreover the methodology of the six sigma is used by the project sponsors at each step of conclusion before moving to the next step.
Some of the areas where an organization seeks the help of six sigma for the quality improvement are:
When the cause of the low quality performance is unknown
When problems are found in common places
When the problems found are not able to well defined
When the approaches made are not inappropriate
When all the problem solving methods fail
When complex situations arises with many variables
For the successful working out of six sigma methodology, sufficient training should be given to the employees. The trainings provided to the employees are according to the need of the customer, according to their responsibilities, and according to the skills of the employees. The training sections are divided on the basis that there are different levels and colors for the each position. This would help the project leader to find out the responsibilities assigned to each participants. This methods of position arrangements help in finding out the defects with in the process before attaining the results. Through this it is able to avoid the defects naturally, reduce the time of production, reduce the cost, and attain the quality product to meet the customer needs.
The different levels or the belts in six sigma methodology are:
Green Belt, Black Belt, Master Black Belt, Yellow Belt and Lean Belt. Each level of trainings are provided with separate certifications to the participants. Six sigma certification differs from other type of certifications in the sense, that other types of quality certifications ensure a person’s capability in the performance of unlimited process improvement. But in the case of six sigma certification it ensures an individual’s capability with respect to specified competencies
Six sigma gives important in the selection of project, which is the basis of quality improvement. It is important to select the correct project or else it will effect the employees and the team feeling ineffective and the end result will be less than ideal. Once the right process is identified, then the duty of quality manager is to chart the team, select the team, team leader and the members of the team for the working out of the projects.
As a conclusion, when applied correctly, six sigma will produce better results than most other methods through new culture. It is proven to be very marketable in all aspects.