It targets selectively those process steps critical to increasing the key measures of operating performance, and through them, it improves customer satisfaction; it has made savings and gains of hundreds of millions for many big name companies.
The central idea behind applying Six Sigma is that if you can measure how many "defects" you have in a process, you can apply structured improvement activities to eliminate them and get as close to "zero defects" as possible.
Six sigma has this rigorous measurement focus at its core. 'Defects per unit' - its common measurement index - applies to all types of organisations, their products and services, activities and transactions.
Six Sigma — Why Should I Use it?
touchstone n: a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated; "they set the measure for all subsequent work". Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University.
All types of organisations have benefited from Six Sigma: organisations large and small, whether public or private sector, and organisations in manufacturing and service industries.
Its been applied as a 'best in class' corporate transformation strategy. But whether you aim to transform your organisation completely through a Six Sigma or you aim to improve one key performance deliverable, it can be applied with equal effectiveness.
No capital investment is needed: it's a work and people based approach.
Six Sigma speaks the language of business, and translates improvements into profits.
Six Sigma — What Sort of Benefits Can be Achieved?
Six Sigma focuses on improving dramatically the performance of key business measures. The proven benefits are hard to resist; Six Sigma cuts cost and drives profits at the same time. Published benefits include GE $500m -1977, Allied Signal $175m -1995.
Many other blue chip companies have adopted Six Sigma: Sony; Nokia; American Express; Xerox; Boeing; Kodak; Sun Microsystems; 3M; Bank of America; Merrill Lynch.
Six Sigma engages all levels and sections of the company. It builds successful project teams, encourages cross-functional co-operation and promotes excellence throughout the organisation.
Six Sigma develops the potential in people to become change agents. It trains blackbelts to lead self-driven teams, and gives team members the skills, knowledge and tools to make measurable improvements and sustain them.
Six Sigma focuses attention on the customer. It reduces variation, drives out waste and cost while increasing quality, effectiveness and efficiency.
In a Nutshell: How Does it Work?
It's goal focused and each goal's achievement is managed as a project to ensure and control your specified outcomes.
A senior management champion trained in Six Sigma methods guides each project.
Change activity is led hands-on by your own Six-Sigma blackbelt and greenbelt-trained employees from within your cross-functional project team.
Subsequently, the team's acquired Six Sigma skills and capabilities can be transferred progressively to more employees in additional project teams that transform the organisation to Six Sigma from within.
Touchstone 6 Sigma — Why Should I Use Touchstone Renard?
Touchstone Renard is a Management Consultancy with considerable experience in People Management, Business Strategy and Operations. We have worked with many of our clients to plan and execute change programmes.
We will provide you with an understanding of Touchstone 6 Sigma in the context of your business.
We will help you to determine if you, your existing processes, performance measurement practices and standards are ready for Touchstone 6 Sigma.
We will help you to set your improvement goals: goals linked to your strategic objectives.
We will help you to set up and start your programme, and prepare your champions.
We will help you formulate your initial Touchstone 6 Sigma targets: provide the advice, facilitation and support to launch the first Touchstone 6 Sigma project in your programme.
We will train your blackbelts, and provide the support to help your teams achieve early and measurable results, and at least until your blackbelts and teams can progress unaided.
Thereafter we will support you as you wish and help you to roll out your programme company wide towards becoming a mature Six Sigma organisation.
