CQI (Chartered Quality Institute) Agony Uncle

[Paul Simpson]

Cove members who aren't totally bored with my rantings might be interested in a new role. The Chartered Quality Institute has recently asked me to contribute a monthly "Agony Uncle" piece dealing with questions from members. The latest one is available here to view.

It is pretty similar to work on the cove except for two things:

1. I have to be polite
2. Nobody gets the chance to correct me

[Craig H.]

Good article, Paul. Is there any chance this column could be posted monthly here in the Reading Room?

[M Greenaway]

Good advice Paul

Many people build a system seperate to the business and wonder why nobody wants to get involved, like you say most good things are often already happening in most companies, such as objectives, so use what is there already.

[ScottK]

Very nice.

Did you ever think as a kid you'd be an advice columnist? Even for a fairly limited audience.

Next step.... Dr. Phil.
Or whoever his UK counterpart is...

[Paul Simpson]

Originally Posted by Craig H.

Good article, Paul. Is there any chance this column could be posted monthly here in the Reading Room?

Thanks everyone for the positive comments. I am certainly happy to copy the response here. I believe the "Forward" e-newsletter is available to all subscribers for free not just CQI members.

Originally Posted by Discordian

Did you ever think as a kid you'd be an advice columnist?

No, as a kid I wanted to race cars! It is only with advancing years that reality kicks in!

Originally Posted by Discordian

Even for a fairly limited audience.

Excuse me if I paraphrase a story of a guy on his retirement..... "In my life I've learned a hell of a lot .... it's a shame it's only about quality management!"

Originally Posted by Discordian

Next step.... Dr. Phil.
Or whoever his UK counterpart is...

Jim Wynne kindly sent me a link about Dr. Phil but there is only one Dr. Phil on the cove!

The only UK equivalent I can think of is "Dear Marge" an agony aunt in the papers quite a few years ago .... a little gentler than Dr. Phil by all accounts.

[Paul Simpson]

It's that time again. My latest meanderings are posted here.

I have copied the text below.

Originally Posted by Agony Uncle

The question

I am a quality engineer and have recently been nominated to take part in six sigma training with a view to starting on some projects internally. I have heard through reading Qualityworld that the training is very intensive and will require detailed understanding of statistics. But my company wants me to do the training in my own time and to finish my first project in the first year. Is this possible and will the training be of benefit to me in my career? Jon, Nottingham.

The solution

First, Jon, any opportunity to improve your quality knowledge must be beneficial – structured six sigma training covering quality tools and techniques, even more so. Potential new employers look for qualified black belts for the same reasons your current employer wants to train you – capability to deliver problem solving projects. You will contribute to reducing failure costs and improving business efficiency.

But here’s the rub. Training must be taxing for you to get benefit from it. Because six sigma is a latest buzz word, quality of training provided can be best described as ‘variable’. Make sure your training provider covers the statistics behind six sigma, if not it is just glorified corrective action training. Have a look at what training the CQI is offering here for examples.

It is unusual your company is insisting training takes place in your own time and that rings alarm bells over their commitment to investing the money and effort necessary to deliver a successful six sigma programme. Nevertheless your personal investment in training will pay off in job satisfaction and improved prospects.

Whether you can deliver your first project within a year depends on how complex your project is. Certainly many difficult problems that have troubled organizations for years have been solved in 3 to 9 months – talk about a return on investment!

Bear in mind the methodology cannot be rushed. Each stage of six sigma takes time:

* define (the problem),
* measure (product features, service measures, fault data),
* analyze (data collected above),
* improve (processes based on results of the analysis),
* control (implement measures to ensure process improvements don’t slip back and problems reappear)

The mnemonic DMAIC is relatively easy to say but very difficult to do properly – good luck with your training!

Paul Simpson is a member of the CQI, a certification manager with a UKAS accredited certification body, and a management consultant at XBS

[Craig H.]

Paul,

This type of article, explaining the implications of something like "installing" six sigma, is something that we do not see very often. I am sure that there will be many who will gain from your insight.

Thanks!!!

[Paul Simpson]

Thank you Craig. You are very kind.