Six Sigma - Looking Ahead Counts
Six Sigma is a method of production that looks ahead at all processes, personnel, and materials involved, with a goal of having a better end product or service, with fewer errors or defects. The result of this work is uniform production, unified service efforts, and higher customer satisfaction.
Looking ahead, and thinking ahead while in the midst of a project, means better production. There is flexibility to make improvements along the way, instead of finishing a job "the old way" and then trying to figure out what went wrong, and how could it have been done better. By being able to make small adjustments along the way, the end product is slightly altered, and improved at the same time.
The danger in making changes is not having everyone involved in the process on the same loop of information. This is where management can be effective by guiding the employees by demonstration and leadership, and by explanations of why certain changes will have better end results. Bit by bit, the managers shape the entire process, until the process is fine tuned and controlled. By reducing variations during the process, the chance for errors and defects is reduced to minimal.
Six Sigma training teaches the understanding of why deviations from process rules can create defects and cause errors in production or service. The more a process is controlled and fine tuned, the better and more consistent the product or service will be. Another focus of Six Sigma training and certification is a tried and true theme, putting the customer's requirements first. As employees strive to create a product or service that best meets the client's needs, the client's satisfaction with the product, and the company that produced it, will increase. Six Sigma looking ahead, when quality control and improvement is wanted, counts.