Re:comments on six sigma

[John Seddon <john@vanguardconsult.co.uk>]

A 2 cent contribution to a debate I have not followed... but someone just
gave me an eminent fellow's comments on six sigma and I thought they should
be shared with those who may have an interest.  I cannot tell you who wrote
this as I do not have his permission to cite it but here are some selected
comments:

"Some companies have realised after several years application of six sigma
that their customers are not seeing the benefits and are becoming irritated
by the constant publicity.  Right from the start of six sigma training the
'bottom line' financial gain from projects is the key project driver.
Customer focus is of secondary importance; in the real world the first
question the black belts have to answer is "How much will this project
save?" "

"Six sigma programmes call for "the best people" to be trained as black
belts.  The training concentrates on advanced statistical methods that
demand a relatively high degree of mathematical ability.  The programme is
very intensive, one black belt likened it to 'drinking through a fire
hose'.  There are two issues with this:

* quality improvement is made to seem difficult and the prerogative of the
expert.

* Most quality improvement requires first rate application of the more
basic approaches.  Most black belts when interviewed will readily admit
that over 90% improvements are achieved with about 20% of the content of
the training.  This is very wasteful.

"Where six sigma programs are being effective they tend to be in companies
with very directive cultures..... some 'master' black belts are reporting
spending as much as 60% of their time on collecting and reporting project
data.  The bigger drawback, however, is that the moment the management stop
driving, all improvement stops"

So (Seddon muses) is six sigma just another fad designed to sell tons of
training?

With best wishes

John

John Seddon
Vanguard
http://www.vanguardconsult.co.uk
(44)1280-822255
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