Hi,
I have been speaking with our continuous improvements manager who has suggested that if the opportunity arises I should consider studying for Six Sigma green or black belt.
I've looked into this before but often considered it to be more of a production/ quality oriented subject?
Has anyone else considered, or gone down the six sigma route?

Many Thanks

Hi Will1977,

I undertook the green belt course last year, Whilst it is more production, quality you can use the methodology in many other areas including H&S using the DMAIC approach.

PM if you want some details.

Dennis

The basic DMAIC / PDCA principles will always work, no matter where you apply them. To me, there's a difference between lean and the things in the lean toolbox, and six sigma.

With respect to proper six sigma methodology, as an automotive quality assurance professional of 20+ years extreme experience in a Tier 1 situation with the likes of Toyota all over the world, I have to say that the number of quality problems I solved with six-sigma I could count on the fingers of no hands. 98% of problems I encountered were not solved using statistical tools and design of experiments etc. They were basic failings of management systems, things breaking down, incapable equipment or processes and human errors. Toyota don't believe in six sigma because they regard it as an elitist tool, when problem-solving should be open to everyone via the normal methodologies....."go and see"!

Sorry. Rant over.......but I guess it will look good to some people if it's on your c.v..

I am not exactly suggesting you this way because it mostly depends upon your interest. But many of them have gained good experience with these courses. Six Sigma is one of the course which helps organizations or individuals to sharpen their management skills, offering them to enhance their performance to improve the productivity, quality.






http://www.amitytraining.com

quote=Swygart25604]The basic DMAIC / PDCA principles will always work, no matter where you apply them. To me, there's a difference between lean and the things in the lean toolbox, and six sigma.

With respect to proper six sigma methodology, as an automotive quality assurance professional of 20+ years extreme experience in a Tier 1 situation with the likes of Toyota all over the world, I have to say that the number of quality problems I solved with six-sigma I could count on the fingers of no hands. 98% of problems I encountered were not solved using statistical tools and design of experiments etc. They were basic failings of management systems, things breaking down, incapable equipment or processes and human errors. Toyota don't believe in six sigma because they regard it as an elitist tool, when problem-solving should be open to everyone via the normal methodologies....."go and see"!


That's good to hear ....... I thought I was the only one who thought this fad was a bit emperors clothes. I did all of this with a major (you would all know its name)Japanese company years ago. The fact that the company no longer exists says it all.



Sorry. Rant over.......but I guess it will look good to some people if it's on your c.v..

See I completed the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course just over a year ago. As previously mentioned the DMAIC approach lends itself to many subject areas of Health & Safety.

However, for me it gave me other tools that I continue to use everyday. For example one of the features of Lean Six Sigma is data interpretation and learning how to display this effectively. I have used this to produce Senior Management Team Reports (Instead of using 20 pages of words etc.) and if has had a profound effect. They now get more actively involved in both the praise (Good Practice) and the support towards areas of improvement.

It also lends itself to policy writing. Treat it as a manufacturing process put every single step on sticky notes and place them in order on a wall. Then look at how much waste there is. Get rid of the unnecessary steps which helps compliance rates. Makes it easier for the staff on site to undertake their duties effectively but most importantly safely.

There are so many more tools I learnt that once coupled
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would recommend it to anyone.