The integrated six sigma framework has been developed to create an integrated process for turning business imperatives into ideas and projects and then systematically delivering financial benefits.
The framework includes all the key elements required to manage the four main types of projects within a disciplined and effective process. It is managed as an overall framework through integrating activities such as the knowledge base, results summary, and annual change planning process. At the end of all projects new solutions are handed over to process owners, lessons learned are recorded and shared and the project team is recognized and rewarded for its successful efforts.
What types of projects can be managed within the integrated six sigma framework?
There are four distinct types of projects. These different types of projects have different objectives, processes, and requirements. They need to be managed differently if they are to deliver planned financial benefits successfully.
Continuous Improvement (DMAIC)
The DMAIC process consists of five elements, DEFINE, MEASURE & ANALYSE, IMPROVE and CONTROL. The purpose of the DMAIC approach is to increase the delivery of financial benefits from process improvements using six sigma methods.
Design for six sigma (DFSS)
The DFSS process consists of six elements, DEFINE, MEASURE & ANALYSE, DESIGN, IMPLEMENT and CONTROL. The purpose of the DFSS approach is to increase the delivery of financial benefits from new process innovations using six sigma methods.
MAJOR
The purpose of the MAJOR project tool is to increase the delivery of financial benefits from very large and complex projects through improved management approvals and decision making. The approach is designed to ensure that MAJOR projects are effectively managed and that the internal project manager and steering / review committee stay in control of external consultants and technology provider.
VENTURE / INCUBATE
The purpose of the VENTURE project tool is to increase the probability that ventures will be successfully launched and achieve critical scale. It is also important that the venturing process should be effective at stopping ventures that will not succeed at the right stage. The approach is designed to ensure that VENTURE projects are effectively managed and that the venture managers and venture review committees maximize the value of the overall venture portfolio within a company.
At the end of each phase of all projects, there is a multi-topic checklist for the Project Manager to complete. The relationship between the Project Manager and Project Sponsor is defined around successful management and completion of this checklist.
Experienced Project Managers and Sponsors have contributed to ensuring that the checklists are fair and stretching challenges of the effective management and completion of key project tasks. The checklists are key mechanisms for ensuring that financial benefits are identified, secured, and delivered as rapidly as possible by the project team.
How does the integrated six sigma framework create “closed loop” integration of improvement activities?
The closed loop framework ensures that your company can capture, share and grow key learnings from your best projects and project managers. The integrated six sigma framework includes a number of activities that are designed to ensure that project and portfolio activities are integrated.
These activities create a clear linkage between business imperatives – ideas – projects – systematic delivery and results. The integrating activities include:
- Business Imperatives – your company’s corporate and local business imperatives
- Annual planning processes – clear planning activities and timescales which fit with other planning processes in each financial year
- Knowledge base – easy access to advice and best practices to make project teams effective, fast
- Reporting processes – summary level and drill down reports at a portfolio and project level
- Results summary – overall summary of portfolio results
The tool – Continuous Improvement (DMAIC), Design for six sigma (DFSS) and the integrated six sigma integration modules
This tool is the main six sigma product offering covering both DMAIC and Design for Six Sigma processes. It includes tools to support the ideas generation and prioritization process. The Tools product also includes all the key integration activities including business imperatives, knowledge base, reporting and results management.
DMAIC Tools
DMAIC – The tool covers the five distinct phases of a DMAIC project. It sets out the key activities that need to be completed in each phase and contains checklists for phase completion. The MEASURE & ANALYSE phases are combined into a single phase because of the inter-related nature of the two phases.
- DEFINE – This is where the details of what the project is trying to achieve are clarified and the practicalities of setting up the project are covered.
- MEASURE & ANALYSE – In order to identify the best solution to the business problem, measurements are identified and taken to test out possible causes and quantitative and qualitative analysis is carried out.
- IMPROVE – Once the root cause has been identified potential solutions are generated and evaluated to identify the best one, this is then piloted to confirm that it will deliver the expected benefits
- CONTROL – After implementation the new process is handed over from the project team to the ongoing owner with measures in place to ensure that the new process is working so that the benefits from it are realized.
DFSS Tools
The DFSS – The tool covers the five distinct phases of a DFSS project covering DMADIC. It sets out the key activities that need to be completed in each phase and contains checklists for phase completion.
- DEFINE. This is where the details of what the project is trying to achieve are clarified. The practicalities of setting up the project are covered.
- MEASURE & ANALYSE. In order to identify the best solution to the business problem, measurements are identified and taken. To test out possible causes and quantitative and qualitative analysis are carried out.
- DESIGN. In this phase the team designs and pilots the new process.
- IMPLEMENT. The new process is implemented. The change process is managed to build acceptance and the new performance metrics for the process are defined.
- CONTROL. After implementation the new process is handed over from the project team to the ongoing owner with measures in place. To ensure that the new process is working so that the benefits from it are realized.
Ideas Generation
The tool covers the key activities required to capture new ideas, evaluate their value and prioritise projects. The objective is to ensure that all qualified ideas are held in a single database. That clear prioritisation mechanisms are used to turn ideas into authorised projects. This process ensures that the right ideas are turned rapidly into improvement projects. They fit well within an overall portfolio of projects.
- Ideas Proposal. The tool contains a simple to use ideas capture worksheet. To enable your people to submit their ideas to the right people for evaluation
- Initial Ideas Evaluation. All ideas are evaluated on a regular basis using clearly understood criteria. Ideas that are qualified are then encourage. To proceed through the project proposal phase.
- Project Proposal. Ideas are turned into proposed projects with clear statements of project plans, resources required and potential costs and benefits
- Project Authorisation. Tools to authorise projects and allocate resources.
Integration tools
The tools product contains a range of integration tools to allow knowledge. The best practices to be shared easily across project teams. There are a full range of project and portfolio reporting tools. A summary integrated six sigma results scorecard. The integration tools also include tools to add and view insights, open items and lessons learned.