Winning With Six Sigma

Often Six Sigma Champions or Master Black Belts have a project in hand but are not quite sure whether it is a “Just-Do”, Lean project, a Six Sigma DMAIC project or even a Design for Six Sigma project. Although the questions usually revolve around the first three.

This blog post refers to a flow chart entitled “General Problem / Solution Selection Model” which you can download from the following webpage - Six Sigma Project Type.

Naturally the process starts with a project in hand. Most companies categorise the projects into categories that are aligned to strategic metrics. For example by cost, cash, or growth.

The next consideration is whether the project is a improvement / design, waste reduction / flow, or neither / unknown. These then lead the project down separate flow paths. Typically improvement projects become DMAIC Six Sigma projects. Design or innovation projects become Design for Six Sigma projects. Waste reduction or continuous flow become Lead projects. But things are not always this cut and dry.

Even with seemingly simply to classify DMAIC, DFSS or Lean projects, when the solutions are known, they can potentially be “Just Do’s’”. All that may be required is some analysis to verify that the solution is indeed a workable one.

Even “Just Do’s” can vary in their implementation depending on their complexity and scope. Sometimes “Just Do’s” require capital investment that require a justification business plan. To compile such a plan in term my leverage Six Sigma tools and techniques to a build a solid plan.

Then there are those cases when it is not clear whether the project is a “Just Do”, a Lean or a Six Sigma project. Some of the criteria that has proven useful in determining an appropriate methodology include:

• Complexity Level
• Data availability
• Solution availability
• Time frame
• Scope
• Orientation - improvement, waste reduction or innovation

Successful I&I (Improve & Innovate),

Piero

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