Continuity Is Important For Six Sigma Success

By Craig Calvin

When a business is switching from their normal processes to the Six Sigma discipline, they should expect a platform of efficient and improved processes. Team leaders need to make every effort to make certain that the conversion process is not hampered by any unnecessary reasons. If expected benefits of the project are to be realized, then the Six Sigma implementation must be seamless.

The Six Sigma implementation must have a clear, realistic and achievable plan in order to be successful. A well laid out plan is crucial and will be a benefit to everyone in the company. Part of the strategy of the plan should assure that the daily functioning of the business is not impeded by the members' participation. They should not have an extra encumbrance added to their duties. One of the most challenging risks is staff resistance to the Six Sigma implementation. A successful plan will help avoid any kind of problem that should come up.

The availability of resources to the team is a requirement that should not be overlooked. Both material and human resources are key to the program's success. If the resources are not provided and available in a timely manner, then the morale of the team could be affected negatively, causing the Six Sigma project to go off schedule. Smaller companies will be more likely to have resources ready at hand, whereas in larger corporations the gathering and compiling of resources may require more effort. If the Six Sigma implementation is to continue unimpeded, resources must be easily available.

As stated earlier, the plans have to be made well in advance to ensure that the implementation goes on continuously. Similarly, information about the project has to move freely among various team members such as Green Belts, Black Belts and top management as well. This is why the teams need to have proper communication channels and strategies in place - so that the communication is smooth. Communication of the important decisions made is vital, as well as communicating about the project stages that have been reached. Setting up a communication system has to be of top priority.

Communication of the various activities to the employees at various levels of the business has to be done. This is helpful in addressing resistance to change to a large extent. Communication has to reach out to employees, stakeholders and the senior management as well. Six Sigma is beneficial to all sorts of businesses, big or small. The implementation of such projects has to be continuous to ensure that the business starts to work to its fullest possible level. - 18099

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