Getting started with Six Sigma

This step is to establish current baselines as the basis for improvements. This is a data collection step purposes of which is to establish process performances baselines. The performance metric baselinefrom the Measure phase will be compared with the performances metric at the conclusions of the projects to determine objectively whether significant improvements has been made. Measure Phase of Lean Six Sigma Project is the second phase. The deliverable of this phase:

• Identify all possible causes (Cause & Effect Diagram)
• Validate Measurement System, Data Collection & Sampling
• Establish Process Capability

Identify all possible Causes (Cause & Effect)

In the measure phase the team member’s brainstorms to identify all possible reasons or causes for the occurrence of problem. There will be a direct linkage between a project charters and deliverables. Fish-bone diagram is the structured brainstorming method used to carry out these activities. Fish-bone diagram is also known as Ishikawa or Cause & Effect diagrams. After completing the brainstorming team implements the 5-why technique to further explores the underlying causes for all the reasons identified in the fish-bone diagram. At the end of these two activities the teams have exhaustive lists of possible causes for the problems. Usually there will be around 50~100 possible causes for the problems. It is the responsibility of Six Sigma Green Belt to facilitate these activities.

As a next stepusing experience the team and their process knowledge has to agree on few causes which potentially cause problems. There are several methods to do it but the most popular method is the use of Cause & Effect Matrix (C-E Matrix). Potential Causes are suspects that are causing the problem.

Validate Measurement System, Data Collection & Sampling

Data Collection plays a very important role in Six Sigma projects. But before collecting datathe team has to assess if the measurement systems (instrument, measuring appraiser & environment) is precise and accurate. Once the team ascertains that the measurements are good then a data collection plan is prepared. Data Collection Plan includes the measures how much data’s to collect, whose data’s needs to be collected, data source and who will collect the data etc. While whole entire team can participate in this activity, Six Sigma Green Belt has to take up a lead role as this will involves technical concepts in the training program.

From time-to-time a Six Sigma project team needs to validate the data’s collected. Sometimes the data collector needs to be retrained and trained. Once the data collections are complete it is ready for a process capability’s assessment. Usually many projects get delayed because of delay in collecting sufficient data’s or poor data quality. When a Six Sigma Green Belt takes special care of this activity can get completed on time.

Establish Process Capability

Process Capability is ability of the process to do deliver as per customer’s requirement. There are many various process capability indices but in Lean Six Sigma projects sigma capability is the most popular one. This exercise gives an accurate report on current process performances. As these indices are covered in the training program, Six Sigma Green Belt has to take a lead role in conducting this study. The output of Process Capability study’s can be used to validate the process objectives and anticipated benefits in charter.