Six Sigma System

The Six Sigma system is built on a foundation of sound process management, process iimprovement and process design.

Process Management

Process management is the ensemble of activities to manage, improve and control all the processes in an organisation, in a coherent and strategic manner, with the aim to effectively execute business strategies, achieve business goals and meet customer requirements. Process management consists of elements such as Corporate and Process Dashboard, Process Architecture, Strategy-Process Alignment, Performance Management System, Process Improvement System, etc.

Process Improvement (DMAIC)

DMAIC is a methodology within the Six Sigma system to improve existing processes. It has five phases including Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control.

DEFINE
  • Understand and quantify the problem
  • Discover the scope of work
  • Formulate objectives
  • Identify resources
  • Build the action plan
  • Establish communication
  • Identify roles and responsibilities
  • Understand current process and operations
MEASURE
  • Identify potential issues
  • Plan for measurement
  • Build operational definitions for data
  • Understand data types
  • Design data gathering tools
  • Gather data and validate
  • Prepare analysis tools
  • Establish the baseline of current
ANALYZE
  • Analyse data
  • Verify and validate hypotheses
  • Identify variation
  • Determine vital few root causes
  • Validate root causes
  • Quantify improvement opportunity
IMPROVE
  • Brainstorm solutions
  • Develop the To-Be model
  • Formulate action plans
  • Identify potential risks
  • Analyze cost and benefit Test the new process
  • Plan for implementation
CONTROL
  • Implement the solution
  • Establish control plan
  • Build the dashboards
  • Monitor performance
  • Maintain performance
  • Close and handover
  • Improve continuously

Process Design (DFSS)

Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) focuses on the development of a new process, product or service. The focus is aimed at building six sigma quality in the system right from the start when cost is lowest. Compared to traditional design methods, DFSS often requires a longer product planning time in order to identify the critical to quality factors. However, by making sure requirements are accurately captured and translated into the design, there is an overall reduction in development time and design. IDOV is a common methodology used in DFSS.

IDENTIFY
  • Understanding voice of the customer
  • Develop CTQs for the design
  • Set targets
  • Plan and launch project
DESIGN
  • Generate and evaluate concepts
  • Create high level design
  • Analyze and test high level design
OPTIMIZE
  • Develop detailed design parameters
  • Optimise detailed design
  • Create prototype
  • Ensure robust design
VERIFY
  • Test and refine design
  • Develop final design
  • Set up for production ramp-up