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What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a tested and proven
methodology for problem solving. At one level it can
be seen as a set of statistical tools which can be used
to analyze various business problems or to accurately
predict the outcome of events. At another level it can
be seen as a philosophy aimed at bringing a cultural
change in the organization which leads to a data based,
scientific approach to productivity and performance
improvements.
Can a company be “Six Sigma
Certified” like ISO?
No, Six Sigma is not externally certifiable.
Six Sigma either as a set of tools or as a philosophy
can be used for continuous improvements within an organization.
It is not a target to be achieved. The application of
Six Sigma is to specific processes or measurements,
which are critical to customers, like for example, ability
to solve technical problems in a inbound customer service
contact center. Since organizations have almost an infinite
number of processes, it becomes a statistical impossibility
to address all processes. So, the concept of a company
being a “Six Sigma” company is a myth. Yes,
an organization can claim to be Six Sigma for specific
services, like the airlines industry can claim flights
take-off to be at Six Sigma. The only certification
available for this is the customers acceptance / confirmation
of such a status.
How are GBs / BBs
/ MBBs certified? Is there a globally accepted standard
for certifying them?
Certification for all kind of people
is internally determined. The concept of certification
was developed to identify people who were proficient
in the usage of Six Sigma. For example, GE certifies
its Black Belts on the basis of a number of projects
completed, training completed, mentoring of other Green
Belts projects and finally a written test.
Six Sigma has been
traditionally applied in the manufacturing sector. How
relevant is Six Sigma to other industries?
Most of the statistical tools have
probability as the basis. The earliest application of
probability was not in the manufacturing industry, but
in gambling. Many tools of statistics are applicable
to gambling. Having said this, Six Sigma or the set
of statistical tools, can be applied to any process
which has a measurement attached to it. The difference
between the manufacturing and service industry is that
measurements in manufacturing are instinctive, services
being new, measurements are being developed even as
you are reading this. So, as long as you can measure
the output and inputs to a process you can use Six Sigma
to improve the output from that process.
How long
does Six Sigma Implementation take place?
Six Sigma implementation takes anywhere
between 5 – 18 months depending upon the size
of the company and the depth they decide to go.
Is
Six Sigma recognized in the industry?
Six Sigma has gained a lot of prominence
and respect in the global industry. In India too, Six
Sigma knowledge and talent is in great demand.
I hear
“Minitab” a lot with Six Sigma. What is
Minitab?
Minitab is a statistical software
that is used to the complex statistical analysis. It
is developed by Minitab Inc. But this is not the only
software. There are many others in the market and today
MS Office Excel has developed to such an extent that
most of Six Sigma analysis can be done on excel.
Do I need
statistical expertise to apply / use Six Sigma?
No, the Six Sigma methodology
focuses on the process and you only need basic understanding
of school mathematics. The complex calculations and
statistics is taken care by Statistical software like
Minitab.
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