Do I Want To Be A Six Sigma Black Belt?

[IEGeek]

Good morning from the land of fruits and nuts.

The president of my company was part of a conversation with our number 1 customer, a competitor and a supplier at a trade show recently. The topic of this conversation was Six Sigma. Yes or No? The competitor apparently refused to even acknowledge that such a system could aid any company. The customer (an OEM) thought Six Sigma was the Cat's Pajamas. The supplier voiced his approval as well. So you might see where this is leading. Upon her return from the trade show she made a beeline for my office. After quickly closing the Cove (she does not like the smilies) she posed this question

"What do you know about Six Sigma?" - I answered with general commentary from my limited knowledge

Then she poses

"How quickly could you become a Black Belt?" - I answered, "with my background in quality and engineering, I could probably get up to speed in a fair amount of time." Again general terms

Now knowing that she would not spend a penny unless she was going to receive $1 in return, I know she has done some research and she has this burr up her caboose. I think this is a dynamic opportunity for me personally as well as the company, I just need to understand more. Can anyone please recommend training, materials, Real World Experience, Etc. I will be doing a lot of searching on here and the Web myself, but I prefer the personal contributions from you all.

Thanks for your input

[qualitygoddess]

so little time! Having done a fair amount of research in Six Sigma "self-help" stuff, I would recommend a few items to think about (remember, this is JMHO):

1. easy to read book about SS called Six Sigma for Managers by Greg Brue. He also did a nice little follow-up book called Design for Six Sigma. Brue writes to the everyday reader, and explains all those pesky acronyms and stats stuff in language that the uninitiated (sometimes called quality neophytes) can understand. It will give you good information to explain to your boss.

2. there is training everywhere. BEWARE there is training everywhere. You can spend $499 - $30,000. Just depends on what you need. If you are already a CQE, then you already know you know more than you need.

3. make sure your boss really understands the whole Six Sigma way. The best way to get good ROI is to let a fully trained Black Belt do ONLY that. You also need some upper management types to at least be at a champion level, so the BB gets the support needed to complete projects.

4. many people will argue, but SS tools have been around for ages and ages. A CQE or experienced quality engineer with the backing of senior management can also achieve these amazing feats of SS. I end with the thought that the company's top management must make a commitment to improve processes, and have a method for choosing projects, and think in terms of entitlement (sometimes called stretch goals) for measureable process improvements throughout the organization. For example, if your quote process takes 5 days, and you know that customers want it in 2 -- is that possible? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? What has to be done, and what would it cost to re-think the process, drive out variation, reduce cycle times to go from 5 days to 2 days. And once it's decided to take on this project -- what is the outcome, and is the outcome sustained? Measure, measure, measure.

I'm sure others will have opinions, too!

[Wes Bucey]

Pretty fair analysis, QG.

Let me add, "Six Sigma" is not like ISO9k2k or any other Standard. There is no outside party that comes in and blesses the organization with a sprinkle of water and the words, "I declare this to be a Six Sigma Organization!"

In fact, there is no Standard 6S program anywhere in the world. To ameliorate your boss and, consequently, help improve your organization, I would suggest you first go to the ASQ website and download the Body of Knowledge for the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and compare your own state of Quality Knowledge against the BOK. (http://www.asq.org/cert/types/sixsigma/bok.html)

Once you have done that, come back to us with questions on making 6S techniques work to the benefit of you and your organization.

[sulkinsf]

What is your companies history with quality/change initiatives? Six Sigma, like any other large change initiative, will need patience and commitment from the top.

The first few projects can be very lonely!

Regards,

Steve