Building The Best Teams With Six Sigma Training

Six Sigma was originally developed in 1986 by Motorola as a means to control quality. It is primarily used in business, production and manufacturing but other sectors such as customer service and government bodies benefit from it as well. Due to its flexibility and efficacy, many companies and organizations opt for Six Sigma training for employees and management as a means to improve processes, promote efficiency and improve profits.

What exactly is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is one of the most popular forms of business management strategies that are meant to address issues in product and service quality. Put simply, it is a standard of quality that uses a disciplined approach to eliminate defects using available data. It also uses a statistical approach to identify the ideal output within an organization, be it in manufacturing or in transactions performed.

Using the strategy, an error is defined as anything that does not meet the specifications set by the customer. To achieve Six Sigma standards, the process is only allowed to produce 3.4 errors or defects for every million chances. While this may seem like a tall order, it is achievable provided the right tools and strategies are in place.

Methods Used

The methodology involved aims to implement an organization-wide strategy based on measurable elements, all of which are meant to reduce undesirable variations and improve processes. Projects typically utilize two methodologies: DMAIC and DMADV

DMAIC – is an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control. This is a system for improving existing processes that do not meet specifications. This is meant to create incremental changes.

DMADV – stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify. This is a system meant to develop new products and processes that meet Six Sigma quality standards.

Benefits of Six Sigma Training

Earlier practices in quality management relied on the production and manufacturing departments of an organization to set quality standards. With Six Sigma, the methodologies are practiced by everyone from senior management to the rank and file.

Six Sigma is used to correct processes, particularly errors in managing and inefficiencies in production lines and all related activities. In an ideal situation, everything goes smoothly, so products and services come out in their best condition. In the real world, however, processes are disrupted and errors are made. If and when these happen, organizations suffer from:

- Waste of materials, time, labor and resources
- Decreased profits
- Worker inefficiency
- Problems in relationships with suppliers and business partners
- Inefficient decision making
- Decrease in employee morale
- Lack of a culture that defines the organization
- A reputation for being an unreliable and inconsistent supplier

The goal of training members of an organization in learning how to implement the principles of a business management strategy is to familiarize them with the different ways to identify issues and challenges and determine the proper response in the form of preventative solutions.

Six Sigma training is critical to employees and members who are responsible for assuring product and service quality. The strategy focuses on how the process works and which step of the process can be eliminated or improved in order to maintain quality. The type of training a member of the organization undergoes will depend on his or her particular role. For example:

Senior management – general overview of the strategy which includes advantages of implementation, required tools for successful implementation and key role in ensuring that the strategy is properly and continuously practiced in the organization.

Process managers and leaders – detailed training to understand the necessary requirements for successful implementation; training to develop skills in identifying the tools and best practices that should be used to achieve specific goals.

Line leaders and members – detailed training on the principles and tools involved; skill in identifying errors and inconsistencies and the correct steps to take in case of variations in the processes.

Six Sigma Training Based On Toles

Six Sigma has several levels of roles that are recognized as critical to the organization. These roles include:

Executive Leaders – members in managerial positions who are tasked to create the specific strategies and techniques in Six Sigma based on the needs of the business.

Champions – members who are chosen and trained directly by Executive Leaders. These are usually workers in supervisory positions who will be responsible for promoting and ensuring the implementation of strategies as envisioned by Executive Leaders.

Master Black Belts – members who promote and implement strategies and guidelines to the workforce or rank and file.

Black Belts – directly reporting to the Master Black Belts, these members ensure that guidelines are actually practiced by the workforce.

Green Belts & Yellow Belts – trained by Black Belts, these members put the guidelines into practice and ensure continuous implementation by supporting the Black Belts.

Six Sigma Training Challenges

Initially, implementing Six Sigma may seem difficult and it can be costly, particularly during the first phases of training and actual practice. Detailed documentation will also be necessary in order to obtain and analyze data more accurately. The methodologies will also require a change in existing habits and practices, something that some members may find uncomfortable and even threatening. It is also not some type of magic bullet that will solve problems and turn profits overnight. However, trained employees and the organization itself can benefit from its many advantages once the guidelines are established and practiced.

Six Sigma Training Online

There are organizations that conduct actual Six Sigma training for interested companies. However, it is also possible to take advantage of online courses that help save time and are convenient for busy working individuals. Online training is also a good option for anyone who wishes to extend his or her skills and learning for career advancement.

Six Sigma Certification

Certification programs were developed to pave the way for a smoother Six Sigma implementation. The certifications are designed to verify a person’s understanding of the methods involved in their corresponding skill level. A Green Belt certification, for example, will have different qualifications then a Black Belt certification.

There are companies and associations that offer certification services for organizations that wish for a third party audit. These services also have different requirements and may certify an individual based on an exam, for example, or evidence that he or she has successfully completed a minimum of two projects. Individuals may also obtain their certification via an online Six Sigma Training and examination offered by the International Quality Federation.

Six Sigma Training Video