Getting started with Six Sigma

The main objective of these steps is to sustain the gains and monitor the improvements to ensure sustainable and continued success. Control phase is last and fifth phase of Lean Six Sigma projects. Following are the deliverables in this phase:

• Prepare Control Plan
• Final Implementation
• Establish Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Benefits Computation & Closure

Prepare Control Plan

Control Plan or Process Management Plan is set of documents ensuring that robust mechanism is set up to monitor and follow-up is established before the solutions are implemented. Most Lean Six Sigma project doesn’t exist after a few years of implementations. A control plan covers few points like method of monitoring, which are all metrics to be monitored and who and what needs to be done if they go out of control.

Final Implementation

Control phase is part of Real implementation of a solution. Change management skills of the green belts are tested during this stage.

Establish Statistical Process Control

Statistical Process Control known as Control Charts or Stewart Charts. A control chart computes the upper and lower limits as a threshold point to monitor any processes measures. Once thresholds are breached the reaction plans has to be triggered. Instilling the discipline of creating control chart and monitoring as per Control Plans is part of the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Benefits Computation & Closure

The last deliverables of the Lean Six Sigma project is Closure and Benefits Computation. But before doing that the project is monitored for some time like (2 months to 2 weeks) to ensure that benefits are maintained. When Lean Six Sigma Team is satisfied with the outcome results then the improved processes is totally handed-over to the owners.