The DMAIC Method of Six Sigma
The DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) project method is a formalized problem-solving process of Six Sigma. It’s made-up of five steps to apply to any procedure of a business to improve effectiveness [more…]
What Is Six Sigma?
Generally, Six Sigma is a problem-solving methodology that helps enhance business and organizational operations. It can also be defined in a number of other ways: [more…]
Six Sigma Principles
Six Sigma is based on a handful of basic principles, and these principles create the entire Six Sigma arrangement. Here are Six Sigma's fundamental principles: [more…]
The Six Sigma Scale
The Six Sigma scale shows how well a vital feature performs compared to its requirements. The higher the sigma score, the more efficient the feature is. This table shows the universal Six Sigma scale: [more…]
The Tools-Methods Landscape of Six Sigma
Having the right tools and knowing how to apply them to your Six Sigma projects will help you produce accurate, acceptable, and reusable outcomes. Here’s an overview of the Six Sigma landscape: [more…]
Six Sigma For Dummies Cheat Sheet
To apply Six Sigma to your business and produce the best results, you need to understand what Six Sigma is, the principles of Six Sigma, and the DMAIC problem-solving method. The correct tools and use [more…]
Leadership Qualities
All great leaders have certain characteristics in common. Being a great leader has nothing to do with how you look or how you speak; leadership involves preparation and accepting responsibility, even when [more…]
Using a SWOT Chart as a Leadership Tool
A SWOT (Strengths and Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) chart is a tool for assessing and accomplishing your mission as leader. Use a SWOT chart to list strengths and weaknesses of the team you’re [more…]
Developing Your Mission as Leader
Once you've established a goal, your mission is the plan of action for you and your team to reach that goal. Use these guidelines to help lead and attain your mission: [more…]
Leadership For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Great leaders have certain qualities that motivate those around them. But beyond leadership qualities, you have to develop your mission as a leader and then continuously examine your strengths, weaknesses [more…]
What Does Lean Mean to Manufacturing?
Lean is a manufacturing method for improving effectiveness and eliminating waste in order to produce increasing customer value and satisfaction. These principles and practices are important to Lean: [more…]
Icons for Lean Value-Stream Mapping
The Value-Stream Map (VSM) is a Lean tool used to express and define the actions, information, timing, and events in the value stream. When you create the Value-Stream Map, use the conventions for drawing [more…]
Types and Forms of Waste in Lean
The essence of Lean is to reduce waste and get more to satisfy customers. Sources of waste exist everywhere, and waste shows up in many different ways. [more…]
The Kaizen Project PDCA, or PDSA, Cycle of Lean
The term Kaizen is derived from two Japanese characters; kai, meaning “change” and zen meaning “continuous improvement.” Eliminating waste in the value stream is the goal of [more…]
Japanese Terms Used in Lean
The Lean process is full of Japanese terms — small wonder since it's a product of studying the Toyota Production System. Study these Japanese terms to better understand the Lean process: [more…]
Lean For Dummies Cheat Sheet
To understand the Lean approach in manufacturing you should know Lean basics; Japanese terms used in Lean; waste (types and forms) produced in Lean; icons used in the value-stream map; and the Kaizen project [more…]
The Key Principles of Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma is a powerful, proven method of improving business efficiency and effectiveness. In a nutshell, here are the key principles of Lean Six Sigma to bear in mind: [more…]
Using DMAIC in Lean Six Sigma
To undertake improvement activity in your business processes in a systematic way using Lean Six Sigma, you need to employ the useful framework of DMAIC: [more…]
Understanding Value with Lean Six Sigma
When you’re trying to improve value for your customers with Lean Six Sigma, remember that in your customers’ eyes, value is what they’re willing to pay for: [more…]
Tackling Waste with Lean Six Sigma
You can improve process flow in a number of ways using Lean Six Sigma, including by reducing waste. The seven categories of waste are sometimes identified by the acronym Tim Wood: [more…]
Lean Six Sigma For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Getting to grips with the methods of Lean Six Sigma to improve business performance and make your teams more productive? Use this helpful Cheat Sheet to remind yourself of the key principles of this powerful [more…]
Conflict Resolution Resources for the Workplace
Resolving conflict at work starts with the employees, but some situations call for additional resources. If you find yourself in a situation that needs a little extra help, look to your organization’s [more…]
Mediation Process for Resolving Conflict at Work
If you’re a manager dealing with a conflict in the workplace (and what workplace doesn't have some conflict?), you need a strategy to approach and defuse the disagreement. You can effectively mediate the [more…]
Signs That Conflict at Work Is Subsiding
When you’re attempting to resolve conflict in the workplace, you want to see signs that the situation is starting to improve. Your mediation strategies are working when you begin to notice that your employees [more…]
Common Contributors to Conflict at Work
When you’re dealing with conflict in the workplace, consider the underlying causes. Conflict is rarely as simple as it seems on the surface. Problems at work are often caused — or exacerbated — by the [more…]
