1. Principles of Six Sigma
PREPARED BY-ASHWIN D. DIGARSE
M.PHARM 1ST YEAR
QUALITY ASSURANCE DEPARTMENT
SKBCOP
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2. What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality of process outputs by
identifying and removing the causes of defects.
Six Sigma approach is a collection of managerial and statistical
concept and techniques that focuses on reducing variation in
processes and preventing deficiencies in product.
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3. Introduction to Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a set of techniques, and tools for process improvement.
It was developed by Motorola in 1986. Sir Bill Smith, “ the Father of
six sigma” introduce this quality improvement Methodology to
Motorola.
Six Sigma is now an enormous 'brand' in the world of corporate
development.
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7. Six Sigma Technique
Define process goals in terms of key critical parameters (i.e. critical to quality
or critical to production) on the basis of customer requirements or Voice Of
Customer (VOC)
Measure the current process performance in context of goals
Analyze the current scenario in terms of causes of variations and defects
Improve the process by systematically reducing variation and eliminating
defects
Control future performance of the process
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9. 1. Focus on Customer Requirements:
The initial phase in Six Sigma process is defining the “quality" from the point of
customers. Every customer defines quality differently. A business needs to
measure quality in a similar way its customers do. By addressing the needs of
the customer business can define the quality to the customer.
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10. 2. Use data to identify the variation in the
process:
Variations in the process are of two types; Special cause variation and Natural
variation. Special cause variation is caused by external factors. Natural variation
is random variation present in the process. Six Sigma aims to reduce the special
cause variation. To identify the root cause of the variation, understating the
process is necessary. The understanding of the process should be deep and
extensive.
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11. Continue…
To collect detailed data:
Define the goals for data collection clearly
◦ Identification of the data.
◦ Define the reason for the data collection
◦ Define the expected insight
Define the data collection method
Eliminate the error in the data collection
Data collection in the Six Sigma process includes interviewing with
people, taking observations, and asking questions.
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12. Continue…
Once the data collection is finished, check whether the collected data gives the
required knowledge to meet the objectives which were set up. If not, repeat the
data collection plan and get more information.
The process is repeated to find answers. Identify the potential root causes for
the variation in the process and try to eliminate it with the help of collected
data. After identifying the potential root causes, analyze it. To identify the
significant root cause that makes the variation, use Statistical analysis.
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13. 3. Continually improving the process
to eliminate the variation:
After identifying root causes, make changes to eliminate
variation in the process. Thus the defects in the process
are removed. Additionally, search for ways to remove
steps that do not add value to the customer. This will
eliminate waste in the process.
Identify variation and eliminate it. Don't wait for the
variation to show itself. Collect data, talk to people, and
study the data to identify variations in the process.
variation may have become the routine because “that's
the way we've always done things.”
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14. 4. Involve people from different levels
of management and process:
Six Sigma is formed on the foundation of good
teams. The good teams comprise of peoples who
take responsibility for the Six Sigma processes.
The people on the team need training in Six
Sigma's methods. Forming a cross-functional team
with peoples from different backgrounds will help
identify variation.
For example, six sigma team from health care
project consists of top management people,
doctors, nurses, managers, people from operations
and purchasing.
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15. 5. Be flexible and thorough:
Six Sigma requires adaptability from various points of view. The
business’s management system needs to acknowledge positive
changes. People should be motivated to accept the changes in the
system to eliminate the variation. To motivate the employee,
the benefits of the six sigma system should be made clear to all levels
of employees. This will make the changes easily acceptable.
Six Sigma also requires reducing variation to be thorough. So
understand all the aspects of a process—the steps, stakeholders, and
methods involved. This will help to ensure that any new or updated
process works.
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16. Importance of Six Sigma Principles:
Six Sigma is such a popular approach for process management as it
forms a way through which one can improve their processes. It is
centrally a customer and product-driven approach.
The main purpose of this approach is to avoid waste and delivering
the product by meeting all the requirements of the customer
thereby increasing customer satisfaction.
To accurately analyze the process, Six Sigma requires precise data.
The below goals also known as business success facts can be
achieved by implementing Six Sigma in a company.
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17. Importance of Six Sigma Principles:
Increased Quality
Increased Productivity
Reduced Operation Cost
High Customer Satisfaction
Improved Employee Morale
Efficient Work environment
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