FAQ

Six Sigma is a very robust method that you can use for process optimization in production, service and administrative companies.

The process optimization method increases customer satisfaction and improves the company's bottom line by reducing variation, errors, scrap and rework.

It is a method that has proven to be very effective in solving complicated quality problems, but also in preventing errors and keeping the process in control.

You can use the method to

• • Improve existing products, processes and services where the DMAIC - Project Model are used.
• • To develop world-class products, processes and services using Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)..

Most Six Sigma projects are implemented with the DMAIC project model, which is used to improve existing processes, products and services. It is a project model with 5 phases:

Define What is the problem?

Measure How big is the problem?

Analysis What causes the problem?

Improve Which solution resolves the cause(s)?

Control To what extent is the problem solved?

Define:

The business case is determined and management prioritisation is achieved first. Then the process is mapped in 5-7 steps, which is in focus. The customer is identified, and the customer's expectations are specified.

Measure:

We find out how the process performs in relation to the customer's expectations. It becomes baseline which the improvement effect, is compared against. At the same time, we ensure that data is accurate and reliable through a measurement system (MSA). We are developing a plan for collecting data to identify the underlying causes of challenges that can be improved.

Analyze:

The collected data is analysed, and the main underlying causes are identified and quantified. Once a satisfactory proportion of the cause of the problem has been found, they are taken to the next stage.

Improve:

Now we develop and implement the solutions needed to improve the process.

Control:

It is essential that the results are maintained and further developed Therefore, in the final phase, a monitoring plan is implemented that tests the quality of the improvements over time.

It makes sense to use Six Sigma when common sense hasn't solved the problem. For example, after using an A3 in connection with an 8D report.

That is when:

• Quality challenges are complex
• A problem keeps coming back
• There is too much variation in quality and/or delivery

Six Sigma can be used as a stand-alone project model for process optimization of a Six Sigma Green Belt or Six Sigma Black Belt.

The Six Sigma method can also be implemented as an actual quality management strategy. It is typically the organizations that reap the greatest benefit from working with the method.

The Six Sigma belts are a method of signalling one's level of competence within Six Sigma.

Six Sigma White Belt: A person has received an introduction of 1/2 -1 day duration.

Six Sigma Yellow Belt: A person who has between 2-5 days of introduction.

Six Sigma Breen Belt: A person who has the skills to lead improvement projects within their own department or field of expertise: Spend up to 25% of their time on this.

Six Sigma Black Belt: A person who typically spends 100% on completing complex and cross-organizational projects.

Master Black Belt: A person who is a specialist and has great professionalism to implement Six Sigma projects or a person who is an organizational leader and acts as part of the management level with an eye for the organizational implementation and operation.

A Certification organization does not excist. No one has a trademark on the Six Sigma method. Therefore, you will find that there can be a big difference in what a Six Sigma person can actually do There are a number of organizations that offer certifications, and many major international companies have their own internal certification.

Examination and certification

A Six Sigma certification consists of both an examination of your theoretical knowledge and a certification based on a practically implemented improvement project, where significant improvements can be shown

Real Six Sigma competencies:

If you want to be sure that a Six Sigma person has real skills, you must ask what results he or she has achieved with the method.

Together, there are 3 basic pillars that make the Six Sigma method effective for process optimization and quality improvements

1) Customer Focus

It is the customers who define the quality. They are the ones who ultimately approve or reject your product/services. Therefore, it is crucial to operationalize the customer's most important requirements, so that there is agreement on the requirements and that it can be factually measured when something is inside or outside the customer's requirements.

2) Process oriented

All workflows can be viewed as a process with one or more inputs, each with one or more suppliers. . The process also has one or more outputs with one or more customers (recipients) with requirements for the output.

The output (y) is always a function of inout and processing in the process (x). This causal relationship is central to the method and in process optimization. This is often expressed as Y = f(x).

3) Fact based

The method makes extensive use of data and ensures that the data is accurate and reliable. . This ensures a high level of professionalism, but also that decisions and improvements are anchored in facts.

This is not done without anchoring.

In addition to the 3 basic pillars, the method ensures management anchoring and support, because no Six Sigma projects are initiated without management commitment.

Change management comes in naturally because the project team has at least one member from each sub-process of the process being optimized. They contribute with knowledge about the process, potential causes and subsequently help to make the solution, which they themselves will work under after implementation Thus, they get a completely natural ownership of the solution.

Der findes rigtig mange gode kvalitetsværktøjer og metoder i Six Sigma værktøjskassen. De kan alle anvendes individuelt på forskellige kvalitetsproblemstillinger.

• SIPOC, Supplier, Input, Process & customer
• COPQ, Cost of Poor Quality
• CTQ, Critical to Quality
• Kano model
• Pareto diagram
• Histogram
• MSA, Measurement System Analysis
• FMEA, Failure Mode an Effect Analysis
• D-FMEA
• P-FMEA
• SPC, Statistical Process Control og kontrolkort
• Fiskeben/Ishikawa
• Proceskortlægning fx svømmebane, flow, spaghetti diagram m.fl.
• DOE, Design of Experiments
• En lang række hypotesetest
• Brainstorming metoder
• Prioritering og udvælgelsesmetoder
• Cost benefit analyser
• Poke Yoke (fejlsikring)