Lean Six Sigma Concepts

What does the term Six Sigma meaan and what are the tools related to this, I came across this term in the Experience required column of many jobs related to BPO.

Hi,
Before i can answer this question, i want to clarify what is your background? if you are asking this question just out of curiosity then the answers given by others are decent enough.
But if you are really want to do some six sigma project then you can read next lines..

Six Sigma stands for Six Standard Deviations (Sigma is the Greek letter used to represent standard deviation in statistics) from mean. Six Sigma methodology provides the techniques and tools to improve the capability and reduce the defects in any process.

It was started in Motorola, in its manufacturing division, where millions of parts are made using the same process repeatedly. Eventually Six Sigma evolved and applied to other non manufacturing processes. Today you can apply Six Sigma to many fields such as Services, Medical and Insurance Procedures, Call Centers.

Six Sigma methodology improves any existing business process by constantly reviewing and re-tuning the process. To achieve this, Six Sigma uses a methodology known as DMAIC (Define opportunities, Measure performance, Analyze opportunity, Improve performance, Control performance).

Six Sigma methodology can also be used to create a brand new business process from ground up using DFSS (Design For Six Sigma) principles. Six Sigma Strives for perfection. It allows for only 3.4 defects per million opportunities for each product or service transaction. Six Sigma relies heavily on statistical techniques to reduce defects and measure quality.

Six Sigma experts (Green Belts and Black Belts) evaluate a business process and determine ways to improve upon the existing process. Six Sigma experts can also design a brand new business process using DFSS (Design For Six Sigma) principles. Typically its easier to define a new process with DFSS principles than refining an existing process to reduce the defects.

Six Sigma incorporates the basic principles and techniques used in Business, Statistics, and Engineering. These three form the core elements of Six Sigma. Six Sigma improves the process performance, decreases variation and maintains consistent quality of the process output. This leads to defect reduction and improvement in profits, product quality and customer satisfaction.

Six Sigma methodology is also used in many Business Process Management initiatives these days. These Business Process Management initiatives are not necessarily related to manufacturing. Many of the BPM’s that use Six Sigma in today’s world include call centers, customer support, supply chain management and project management.

Customer requirements, design quality, metrics and measures, employee involvement and continuous improvement are main elements of Six Sigma Process Improvement.

The three key elements of Six Sigma are:

Customer Satisfaction

Defining Processes and defining Metrics and Measures for Processes
Using and understanding Data and Systems

Setting Goals for Improvement

Team Building and Involving Employees
Involving all employees is very important to Six Sigma. The company must involve all employees. Company must provide opportunities and incentives for employees to focus their talents and ability to satisfy customers.

If you have more queires then you can contact me on abhisheknjain5@gmail.com
i am doing two projects of six sigma in Mindtree consulting Bangalore , India.

I hope that with my little knowledge i will be helpful to you.

I am learning to ride right now. I have only ridden cruisers but was considering buying a sport bike. How much more do you have to lean on a sport bike than you do on a cruiser? Also does it make it more dangerous in rain or slippery conditions if you have a sport bike that has to lean more as opposed to a cruiser?

The point is that a sports bike CAN lean more and so you can power out of corners a lot harder (faster). Never come into a corner too hot. Instead feel the bike and come out hot. Try to never hit your brakes while in a corner.They are all dangerous when the road is slick but when riding on a slippery road the first thing you want to do is slow way the hell down so you don’t have to lean at all, if possible, and be prepared for your wheel to instantly lock up if you use your back brake. Get the hell off the road A.S.A.P. and then some. I have a Harley V-rod and a FXSTI. I had to work way to hard to get them to trash them by riding when I’m not in control of the road. I live in the mountains so when I say slick I mean SLICK. Like ice. You don’t have to lean a sport bike more, the thing is that you CAN if you want to ride fast.

Is getting a Six Sigma certification really valuable in theory and/or practice when it comes to getting/retaining a job? My company is making us all get green belts.

My last full time job, (Raytheon) hyped it to death, meetings were continuously held to discuss getting more managers qualified so they could be saddled with more whip-cracking responsibilities over the worker bees.

I guess if you want to move up, it’s an important "feather" to acquire for your job hat.

First of all you’ll need to become very familiar with the term, "process" .

How come whenever I ice skate my feet always lean in towards the middle? When I try to skate with my feet flat, it feels like I’m standing on the outside sides of my feet. Is there anyway to help me with this and does anyone else have this problem?

Try tying your skates tighter!

I need journals / Examples / Cases of implementation of six sigma / DMAIC in Logistic processes, ıs there any web page that I can find resources?

Supply chain management was designed to take waste out of supply chains—waste as to excess inventory, time and cost. Supply chains are meant to pull, not push, inventory through the supply chain. This is exactly what lean logistics is also about—removing waste and variation from supply chains; it is what Kanban, Pull, is about with Lean Logistics and six sigma.

Wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, suppliers, 3PLs and every party involved in the supply chain feel the pressure to reduce and balance cost, time and inventory—to be lean. This is true with domestic supply chains; but it is especially true with global supply chains.

Six sigma was started by motorola in logistics section.

Six sigma has come out from logistics and supply chain field.

I’m 14 and I do workout but I’m afraid of getting bulky. I want lean muscles so any tips on what to do and what not to do? I don’t really go to the gym. I have dumbells, that sit up chair thing and I do pull ups in the morning at a nearby park.
PS. If you could tell, what makes a person bulky or lean?

Thanks.

do longer reps and fewer sets with light weights (no more than 4 pounds) to tone up! People who want to bulk up do fast low rep sets to build up muscle E.G you should do 12 reps and 3 sets to tone and to bulk you would do 6 reps and 10-15 sets with heavy weights

I would like to know more about six sigma certification and the eligibility criteria

Six Sigma at many organizations simply means a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving towards six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process — from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.

The statistical representation of Six Sigma describes quantitatively how a process is performing. To achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. A Six Sigma defect is defined as anything outside of customer specifications. A Six Sigma opportunity is then the total quantity of chances for a defect. Process sigma can easily be calculated using a Six Sigma calculator.

The fundamental objective of the Six Sigma methodology is the implementation of a measurement-based strategy that focuses on process improvement and variation reduction through the application of Six Sigma improvement projects. This is accomplished through the use of two Six Sigma sub-methodologies: DMAIC and DMADV. The Six Sigma DMAIC process (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) is an improvement system for existing processes falling below specification and looking for incremental improvement. The Six Sigma DMADV process (define, measure, analyze, design, verify) is an improvement system used to develop new processes or products at Six Sigma quality levels. It can also be employed if a current process requires more than just incremental improvement. Both Six Sigma processes are executed by Six Sigma Green Belts and Six Sigma Black Belts, and are overseen by Six Sigma Master Black Belts.

According to the Six Sigma Academy, Black Belts save companies approximately $230,000 per project and can complete four to 6 projects per year. General Electric, one of the most successful companies implementing Six Sigma, has estimated benefits on the order of $10 billion during the first five years of implementation. GE first began Six Sigma in 1995 after Motorola and Allied Signal blazed the Six Sigma trail. Since then, thousands of companies around the world have discovered the far reaching benefits of Six Sigma.

Who and What Type of Training?
Senior Management
Senior Management, also known as ‘C-Level Management’ (CEO, CIO, CFO and peers), are the individuals that set, communicate and drive the overall business objectives. They are also the individuals that are required to incorporate Six Sigma objectives into their operational plans. Examples of objectives might include:

X% of employees through Six Sigma training by a certain date
Y% reduction in defects for all customer visible processes by quarter end
$Z in back-office projects savings by year end

Six Sigma training for Senior Management should include a program overview, business and financial benefits of implementation, real-world examples of successful deployments, specific application to business/industry, and the required Six Sigma training and tools to ensure successful implementation. Depending on Senior Management time availability and their desire to learn the details, Black Belt training is also recommended.

Functional / Process Managers
Functional and Process Managers are the level of management directly reporting to the Senior Management. Depending on the size of the organization, they might include functional managers from areas such as human resources, finance and training, and process managers from areas such as assembly, production and call center.

These managers are sometimes referred to as ‘sponsors’ and ‘champions’ because they are known to champion the cause within their business organization. These champions translate Senior Management’s strategic directions into tactical objectives and actions with the help of their Quality Leader and Project Leaders.

Six Sigma training for Functional and Process Managers is more detailed than that provided to Senior Management. Topics would include the Six Sigma concept, methodology, tools and requirements to ensure successful implementation within their organization. Depending on Functional / Process Manager time availability and their desire to learn the details, Black Belt training is also recommended.

Quality Leaders
Quality Leaders, also known as Quality Managers and Master Black Belts, help Functional and Process Managers set and lead the Six Sigma vision within their specific areas. They maintain rolled up budgets, track business cost savings, ensure training goals are met, coach Functional and Process Managers, Project Leaders and Employees, review projects at milestones, share best practices, and ensure appropriate use of tools and methodologies.

Six Sigma training for Quality Leaders includes detailed information about the concept, methodology and tools, as well as detailed statistics training and computer analysis tool use. Depending on the instructor, the duration is usually between three and four weeks.

Project Leaders
Project Leaders, also known as Black Belts, implement the Six Sigma methodology and tools within the business. They lead the intra- and inter-function projects, maintain time lines and budget, determine appropriate tool use, perform analyses, and act as the central point of contact for specific process improvement projects.

Six Sigma training for Project Leaders includes detailed information about the concept, methodology and tools. Depending on the instructor, the duration is usually between two and four weeks, and may include one of more weeks in between sections. Statistics is included in the agenda, but typically does not include as much detail as that provided to Quality Leaders.

Employees
Employees, also known as Green Belts, may also take Six Sigma training courses developed specifically for part time Project Leaders. Six Sigma training for Green Belts is similar to Black Belt training, but shorter in duration because less detail on complex tools and statistics is provided. Employees are instead told to ask their Black Belt for help in specific areas.

Six Sigma Training Information
iSixSigma’s intent over the upcoming weeks is to gather all available training information for your use — by training course, geographic location (city, state, country), cost per individual, and much more. Be sure to sign up for the iSixSigma Insights newsletter to be notified of its availability. Visit the iSixSigma Six Sigma Training Calendar for the latest information on available training. Visit the online Six Sigma training section for details about courses that may be taken over the Internet.

**Check out www.isixsigma.com/exam to take a practice test**

Even though lean cuisine is porportioned for low calories & for weight loss, exactly how much sodium are you intaking, before it begins to affect your health?

keep in mind that when it comes to nutrient effects on the body, as well as minerals like sodium, there isnt such a thing as a switch from good to bad, meaning its not black and white.
with that said, you have to understand that the effect of sodium in the body is that it increases blood pressure, and long term high sodium diets have been linked with cardiovascular diseases.
because of that, and because every person reacts somewhat different to sodium I cant tell you "exactly how much sodium" you need to consume to get negative effects on your health.

I believe lean cuisine meals vary in sodium content between 350 and 700mg per serving (although thats just what I think I remember)
that can be a pretty significant contribution of sodium, considering some of these servings are only about 250-300 calories.

Honestly, I like these meals better than some fast food places myself, but just keep in mind that eating them too often isnt a good idea.
once or twice a week wont hurt anyone, but just make sure you get enough fresh fruits and vegetables.

I’m a Quality Assurance intern at a BioPharmaceuticals company, and I want to get hired on. I’m certain that I can seal the deal if I get a Six Sigma green belt. Anyone done this? I know it’s REALLY expensive, but it’s a sound investment in my field.

From this online provider it’s only $395 plus textbooks. That’s cheap!

http://www.sixsigmaonline.org/

You can get a black belt for under $1000. That’s the one you really want. Most employers want you to have black belt certification if you want to lead a team.

I can’t think of it. I have been Googling other lean terms trying to find it – but I haven’t found it yet.

Are you talking about the 5S program? I forget what each S stands for, but I recall using that program at my last job.