Six Sigma Management

Updated May 8, 2023

Introduction to Six Sigma Management

Six Sigma management design emphasizes managing a business while improving a process using statistical tools. Six Sigma evolution was done from management science; it is a data-driven approach to obtain high performance; this approach analyses the root cause of the failure in the business and provides suitable solutions. Management philosophers assert that adopting better and improved versions and ensuring changes in the results reorganize the company.

Good Six Sigma management implements good team communication because, during the planning phase, it leaves room for interpreting new add-ons for adaptability. For the effective functioning of Six Sigma management, the top management’s support and leadership, involvement, and commitment play a positive role. Six Sigma creates a different style of management and fixes a culture of defects free products & services, cost underlines, and customer orientation within employees:

Pros of using Six Sigma Management

Following are the pros given below:

• The productivity rate is higher than the previous.
• Also, the cost of production is comparably lower.
• We draft a clear picture with a competitive price that enables us to offer competitive pricing.
• Defects are nearly rare; defects-free is the aim.
• The customer-focused approach allows the team to know the customer’s exact requirements.
• High returns, producer toast on high return on his investment in the products.

Team and Hierarchy

Six Sigma scenarios require the involvement of all participants, from floor workers to senior management; In a Six Sigma project, we assign every participant a specific role based on their expertise and responsibilities to focus on. This approach helps increase the overall performance of the project. We give each member a title based on the profile and work they contribute to the project.

Titles are:

• Yellow belt
• Green belt
• Black belt
• Master black belt
• The champion

1. Yellow belts

It is the 1^st and the lowest position of placements in the Six Sigma methodology. The more significant number of human resources lies under this category; We keep this team for training sessions to provide them with the necessary skills needed for the project; this training will make the team proficient at identifying, monitoring, and controlling profit-losing practices in the business. This team is an information provider for the next belts. This team should receive thorough training to ensure they can provide clear information about the product, which will ease the job of their fellow team members (black belt and green belt working teams).

2. Green belts

This stage comprises experienced and trained team members, preferably experienced in the function-specific area. This is a requirement because the team will be aware of the pros and cons of projects and conclude the short comes from the previous stage. This team requires less amount of commitment throughout the production. This team is experienced in using the six sigma technique, so it detects the defects of the previous team; We sort all queries at this stage before transferring them to the next belt.

3. Black belts

At this level, the team plays a vital role in the process. The best performer of the previous project leads the project because he knows all the issues that may impact the company’s performance. The appointed leader for Six Sigma execution should have at least two years of commitment to ensure the company’s performance is not at risk. DMAIC methodology is the approach during the design; they use several methodologies (more than 1) at a time to get the best out of the process. Trained Six Sigma employees under the black belt category are specialists in problem-solving and good at leadership and team-building skills; these benefited with raise after the project’s success.

4. Master black belt

This level typically involves placing highly skilled and experienced individuals with years of expertise. The top level is vital to play, train(teach), and engage others (leadership). MBB prepares black belts to continue the process and introduces green and yellow belts to add new participants. MBB leaders are responsible for the production’s success; they must keep updated on every stage and provide all the training and related stuff during production. The leader here has to have gained at least five years of experience in Six Sigma management and supervised black belt candidates as a leader for five consecutive years, and is a full-time employee of the company.

The master black belt leader is selected on a reference-based; the more recommendation, the more chances are higher to lead a team for MBB. This is crucial to choose; no risk can be taken, and the company’s reputation is on the stack. MBB is a leader in the green belt; it implements six sigma methodology into the green belt, usually trained by the SS institute. Therefore, they must succeed highly in six sigma projects and indulge in full-time Six Sigma and black belt cost-saving programs.

5. Champions

It coordinates with other belts to create a business roadmap to achieve Six Sigma within the organization. Champions are responsible for the six sigma projects’ logistics and business aspects. Champions are responsible for selecting and scoping projects that align with the corporate strategy. They select and train the right team for the project and remove barriers to ensure success.

Conclusion

Six Sigma aims to improve overall business results by focusing on the company’s bottom line. It focuses on a genuinely cross-functional strategy. Six Sigma insists on specific roles at each cadre, and the management must initiate at regular intervals until production completion. It induces a change in the management style and produces a culture of error/defect-free production, cost control, and a customer-satisfaction environment with employees.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Six Sigma Management. Here we discussed the basic concept, the pros of using six sigma management, and the team and hierarchy. You may also look at the following article to learn more –

1. Project Management Methodology
2. Lean Six Sigma
3. Project Management Methodology
4. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification