SW Six Sigma, Inc.  |  Business training and consulting

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About Six Sigma and Lean

Six sigma is the methodology of identifying and controlling the variation of a process to produce predictable results. In six sigma, 99% quality levels won’t do. Six sigma looks at acceptable defect levels of no more than 3.4 defects per one million opportunities.  That’s much better than the10,000 defects per one million opportunities that would be generated with a 99% level of quality. 

In order to achieve these types of returns, six sigma requires that you have significant knowledge about your process to be able to predict with certainty the outcome of the process. To do this you must know the factors that cause variation in your process and be able to control the variation of these vital few factors. This is what we teach the six sigma candidate at the green belt and black belt levels. We follow a methodology known as DMAIC which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. Each step of this methodology uses different tools such as FMEA (Failure Modes Effects Analysis), KPOV (Key Process Output Variables), KPIV (Key Process Input Variables), distributions such as hyper-geometric and binomial, MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) and DoE (Design of Experiments). These tools advance the six sigma practitioner toward in-depth process knowledge and the ability to discover critical variables that need to be controlled in the process.

This method of applied knowledge is rigorous and results in significant return to bottom line profits.

These types of returns and ongoing benefits are typical of students who have completed our program. In fact, a recent study by the industry website ISixSigma has shown that the average six sigma project returns $188,000 in hard savings, to the company. 

Lean is the study of reducing waste and improving through-put in the process.  Again, lean or lean enterprise, as it is known, requires in-depth process knowledge and is data driven.

We start teaching by looking at a process in your company as it currently exists. We map your current process in detail using a VSM (Value Stream Map). This allows us to see the current state of the process and discover opportunities for small improvements or kaizens. Other tools that are used in lean enterprise are 5S which is a system for eliminating waste and standardizing the work place. Another tool in lean is the kanban or pull system which gives you information to produce what is needed by a signal from the customer. Instead of producing products in batches we learn to produce these goods only when there is a customer demand. This always results in a reduction in inventory at numerous steps along the process.

Six sigma and lean can be studied by themselves and both are very powerful methods. However, recently we have come to understand that they are complementary and they work well together as lean six sigma.  Our classes teach the principles of Lean and Six Sigma. The green or black belt certification earned in our classes gives the student a complete set of tools that can be used to solve the critical problems facing all service and manufacturing industries today.

Using six sigma and lean in your organization will keep you ahead of your competition. Your organization will produce products of greater quality for less money and that is great for every organizations’ bottom line. The cost of this methodology is insignificant compared to the benefit to the company. The investment will be returned to your organization by 6 to10 times after the completion of your very first project. This is the best return for your training dollar, you can’t lose!

SW Six Sigma only uses certified master black belts and lean masters to facilitate our courses. Your employee gets the individual attention they need to maximize their learning experience throughout the training cycle.

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SW Six Sigma — Steve Webster
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