петък, 28 април 2017 г.

Explanation Of Lean Six Sigma Phases

By Gary Reed


Many of the top companies in the world want to improve processes, eliminate waste and save money. A Lean Six Sigma project can be time consuming, but the outcome is certainly worth the effort and training that will be put into working to streamlining the way things are done.

The progression is through several phases; Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. Involving a number of different people from throughout the organization can shed light on various views of the problem as well as the solution. Having input from others can really help in gathering data as well.

In the first step, Define, the issue is brought to light and a statement about the problem is developed. Next, a goal statement, or defining what the outcome will be is decided upon. How the process currently is done should be mapped out to include all of the steps and challenges that are involved. It is also important to identify who will benefit from the improvements and what their expectations are, so that the project moves toward a common goal.

Next comes the measure phase. It can be time a labor intensive, so it is best to start with a plan for how to measure, or collect, the data. Ensure that the data means something and that it is relevant to the end goal. This may require an expansion of the project team to help collect it and input from subject matter experts within the organization. Chart the data as it is collected to help identify if there are deficiencies.

Next, the data collected in the measure process is analyzed in the Analyze phase. The processes in place a scrutinized and the data that has been collected is organized and displayed using a number of tools and charts. The team can get together and come up with ideas for what is causing the problem.

Next comes the Improve step. Meet with the team and come up with what could be potential solutions to the issue and once they have been identified, draw up a map of the process to see how it would look with the new solution in place. Once this is complete, the solution or solutions can be implemented. Data must again be collected to measure if the improvement is working and whether additional improvements could be added. If more solutions are implemented, be sure to collect data to make sure it is moving in the right direction.

In the last phase, which is Control, plans and controls are placed so that the process is maintained. This is where the team should be celebrated and the findings and solution shared to others within the company to see if it will be helpful to other processes. There is no point in others trying to solve a similar problem when the current project could be helpful.

North Carolina has a number of organizations that have seen success with the implementation of this process. It is wonderful to see the benefits that can come from spending the time on each step and reaping the rewards of the outcome.




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