Risk Free Ways To Implement Six Sigma

By: tjacowski
The first reaction of employees is to reject any methodology suggesting a change in the method or pattern they are used to. Complete adoption is a rarity, if not recognized initially.

To make employees adopt Six Sigma and to speed up the acceptance rate, it is best to let them decide on the changeover. They would prefer this to Six Sigma being thrust on them as a directive from management. The model used should be easy to understand and fit into the existing environment. It should be able to convey what it has to offer over and how it is above what is being done. "Six Sigma" is designed to show the opinion makers and leaders the benefits of implementation.

The best way is the "diffusion" route suggested by long research, on how changes set in and grow in corporation.

Selective Concentration: It has been proved that only about four percent of the workforce is responsible for half the re-work and waste, you need to first concentrate on training this small number using the Six Sigma tools and methods. They stand to learn through experience, which is far more effective than classroom training.

Set High Targets: Set high targets for reduction in defects, costs and cycle time. Starting with a fifty percent reduction target will give much higher results.

Start The Implementation Through A Few Small Teams: Avoid overall implementation all at once and start with a few teams. This will ensure that the success story spreads informally among the employees. This is one of the fastest ways for employees to adopt to change models. The initial teams talk to the next target group and this connectivity does take time, but is effective.

Don't Take Hasty Decisions To Widen Your Scope: There is the "80/20" rule that highlights that you waste much of your effort and come up with only twenty percent positive results, out of the eighty percent effort put in.

Use Simple Tools - Streamline and simplify your existing processes by using simple tools like the pareto charts, graphs and fishbone diagrams to lay the ground work for complex tools like the DOE and QFD and ensure a gradual climb on the Sigma scale.

Appraise And Refocus- On the completion of the training of the four percent that you started out with, proceed to tackle the next four percent and keep steadily increasing. The results of diffusion research show that an involvement of sixteen to twenty five percent creates major change in whole organization. The profitability and productivity figures would definitely reflect that improvement in the first lot of employees offers a defect and waste reduction of up to fifty percent.

The implementation of Six Sigma is always subject to risk of rejection during the initial stages. To make it risk free, it is best to use the diffusion method, allowing employees to adopt the method.
Corporate Matters
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