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Smart Things to Know About Six Sigma
Showing Managers and Execs How to Bridge the Gap Between
the Theory and the Practical Applications of Six Sigma.
Six Sigma is a target for operational performance and the name
originates from the statistical term that uses the lower case
Greek letter to mean standard deviation. If you improve the sigma
(or standard deviation) of any process you are in effect reducing
failure or defect rate of that process. But don't let this description
put you off. Six Sigma has long left its precise definition behind.
It has now turned into a generic term - one which denotes the
disciplined and relentless pursuit of higher levels of quality
and lower levels of cost. And with companies such as GE, Honeywell,
Texas and Polaroid claiming to have delivered financial benefits
of more than $1 billion it's easy to see why Six Sigma is growing
at a phenomenal rate - across all sectors and geographies.
In Smart Things to Know about Six Sigma Andrew
Berger shows managers and execs how to bridge the gap between
the theory and the practical applications of Six Sigma. Berger
offers a unique and integrated approach combining best practice
examples with a practical mechanism for implementation.
Smart managers know they can't ignore the growing trend, and
in Smart Things to Know About Six Sigma Andrew Berger reveals
the tools for becoming a Six Sigma Black Belt:
What are the problems you could solve with Six Sigma? How do
you select the right projects? How do you devise the timescale?
The main process for Six Sigma is DMAIC (Define - Measure &
Analyse - Improve - Control), and is the best methodology for
ensuring that targets are met.
Time spent in reconnaissance is rarely wasted. Learn what the
'Define' and 'Project Charter' phase is. How do you get started?
Data collection and analysis is the art and the science of Six
Sigma. What are the best practice tools and benchmarks to help
project teams in the Measure and Analyse phase?
Next step. It's time to move to the IMPROVE phase. No problem.
this is when the fun begins. But what should the project team
really want to achieve during this phase? It's all about prioritising
and testing solutions and building the case for change.
Change is only complete when people in the organization adopt
a 'new way of doing things' as the accepted way of doing things.
But what are the wider implications for taking on the change and
how do you sustain the change? Welcome to the CONTROL phase.
How do you successfully manage Six Sigma change to deliver real
financial benefits? (Hiieeeeyah. Please come forward and pick
up your belt).
Six Sigma can be used to improve any process. From product cycle
times to defects reduction, and it can be used in almost any range
of business. From high street financial institutions, to hospitals
and to cardboard box manufacturers. In the next 3-4 years, you'll
see around 60% of companies implementing some form of Six Sigma.
Be Smart. And see what all the fuss is about.
Smart Quote:
Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict,
don't have knowledge.
-- Lao Tzu
Format: Paperback, 292 pages, 06/03
Item #: 1-84112-433-8
Price: $24.95
Table of Contents:
What is Smart?
Acknowledgements.
Preface.
Introduction.
Assessing the Pontential Benefits of Six Sigma.
The DMAIC Define Phase and Charter.
DMAIC - The Measure and Analyses Phase.
The DMAIC Process - Improve.
The DMAIC Process - Control.
Successfully Managing Six Sigma Change to Deliver Financial
Benefits.
Introducing Design for Six Sigma (DFSS).
Appendices.
Bibliography.
Glossary.
Index.
Six Sigma Table.
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