| Common Misperceptions about Six Sigma | The New Six Sigma Approach |
| Six Sigma only applies in a manufacturing environment. | Six Sigma provides tools that enable teams to improve any type of process, both continuous and transactional. |
| Six Sigma is too complicated and requires a Ph.D. in Statistics. | Breakthroughs in desktop software and improved courseware enable teams to complete complex analysis and experiments quickly and easily. |
| Six Sigma projects can go on for months with no clear gains assured. | Clear project charters, upfront financial benefits analysis, and executive accountability ensure timely completion of projects as well as significant financial returns on every project. |
| Six Sigma projects add to employee overload. | Project prioritization and continuous management review ensure the optimization of team resources. |
| Six Sigma primarily focuses on cost reduction. | While cost reduction is usually an important outcome, all projects first focus on meeting critical customer requirements. |
| Six Sigma programs create more "initiative of the month" confusion. | Six Sigma can be the integrating force that brings current initiatives into alignment and focuses all initiatives on breakthrough business improvement. |
| Six Sigma is just another name for TQM. | While Six Sigma utilizes many TQM tools, these tools are applied for breakthrough business improvement and sustainable financial returns. |
| Six Sigma requires heavy investment, with no clear line of sight to return on investment. | Investments in Six Sigma projects are accretive—all projects are selected based on their ability to achieve clear return-on-investment goals |
Background In this case study, we are a compressor manufacturer in the process of developing a new type of compressor. Our project team was charged with developing the design for the compressor using Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) tools and techniques. As we worked through the DMA DV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify) process, we used simulation and optimization to provide project justification, lend insight into the critical drivers of quality, and help create a cost effective design th at meets customer requirements. For DFSS, critical benefits of simulation and optimization are the ability to prototype new products or processes without an appreciable investment of time or money, minimal defects, and sales driven through improved customer satisfaction. Define The first step in our Six Sigma process was to estimate the financial impact of this project. We started by developing a simple spreadsheet model (DFSS Case Study Defin e.xls) in Microsoft ® Excel to take into ...
Comments
I am working on a project these days and am in need of as much help as I can find, this helped!
community members who go through the auditing process–which can be anxiety inducing–but you make a great point about how strong systems and dedication to continuous improvement are what management systems are all about. Thanks for sharing.lean six sigma