Six Sigma Projects – The Importance of Support from Invested Parties
November 24, 2009 by Craig Calvin
Filed under Business
The best way to make sure that your Six Sigma project is as effective as can be is to include anyone who has a vested interest in the project in the Six Sigma process. This should include, but doesn’t have to be limited to, the senior management of the company, the employees, the customers, and independent contractors that are working for you, your vendors and even your customers. The more people who are involved in the process, the more likely it is that the project will be successful.
Like most people, your customers and employees probably do not want things to change. Change is scary, while the current process is familiar, and everyone knows what they are getting. If you include your customers and employees in your Six Sigma project, and allow them to provide input then they will be part of the group implementing the change. The more people who are involved in the decisions regarding making changes, the more people you will have who are supportive of the changes, so the changes will be easier to implement. You should include as many groups as possible in the Six Sigma process, not only to have access to their input, but also to facilitate the implementation of changes that will result from the project.
There are many ways to seek the input of all of your stakeholders to include them in the process. You can form focus groups of individuals from each area, to represent their larger group. You can also ask for input via e-mail, or suggestion cards, you can distribute questionnaires; there are many ways to include your stakeholders in the process. In addition to obtaining the input of all of your stakeholders, you should also make sure that you have an individual, or individuals, with advanced Six Sigma training on the project to ensure that the Six Sigma tools and methodologies are being used properly, and that the project is staying on track.
Embarking on Six Sigma Projects without the support of everyone that is affected by the improvements will likely cause many unnecessary roadblocks and complications along the way. Taking a little time to ensure that you’ve chosen a project worthy of their support will pay off in the end. Any Six Sigma quality improvement project that is worth doing should have the support of the people that it affects. Change is naturally hard for people to accept, and forcing them to accept changes that they don’t agree with can prove to be nearly impossible.
If your Six Sigma project is related to the design of a new product or service, then you are probably using the Six Sigma DFSS methodology to ensure that you are designing the highest quality product possible from day one. If you are looking to continuously improve existing processes or products, through the elimination of defect and increasing efficiency then you are mist likely using the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. In either scenario, the more input you have from every relevant group, the better your chances are for success, and the better it is for your company.
If you are looking to become a green belt six sigma then you should take a look at www.sixsigmaonline.org. On our site you will be able to find information on all available six sigma classes.
