Participant Interview: Pradeep Singh (Green Belt)- Content Expert-Services, LM Glasfiber.

Pradeep Singh (PS), a Green Belt from Benchmark Six Sigma shares his experience and how he has achieved professional success (including a successful project his latest job switch from L&T to LM Glasfiber) purely because of his Green Belt. No wonder he is so keen to pursue a Black Belt now. Read on....

BSS: Greetings, let us begin with your academic and professional journey. Please share the details with us.

PS: I completed my Engineering in mechanical stream from MITS Gwalior MP, and later got selected in L&T in July 2007. After 2 years & 8 months journey with L&T as a process & quality assurance engineer, I recently joined LM Glasfiber (renamed as LM Wind Power now) working on ERP system "Axapta" as a Content Expert - services.

BSS: Has Six Sigma impacted you all this while? Were there any benefits in your professional and personal life? Also, was Six Sigma of any help in your latest job switch?

PS: During my tenure in L&T initially I was not having any competitive edge over others. But after completing my Six sigma certification/training I found a drastic change in my approach. Everything I was looking at was getting framed as DMAIC, any activity, any work .After completion of certification I received calls from lot of companies and everywhere I was very comfortable talking about Six Sigma & debating about the concept and its aspects. The fact that I finally made it to one company was also because of the Six Sigma aspects I discussed during interview. Overall, I am very happy that I'm a part of Six Sigma revolution.

BSS: How precisely did you use Six Sigma skills at L&T? Is it possible to use the tools even if one is not doing a complete project? Please elaborate.

PS: Basically what I felt is that If you take any of the six sigma methodology ( DMAIC,DMADV etc.) or phases of six sigma methodology .All can be implemented separately & also for the best effect it better to implement all the elements of six sigma methodology (define, measure etc.) altogether. This has definitely impacted the practicality in me.

BSS: Which Six Sigma methodologies do you use most often?

PS: DMAIC is used in the majority of the cases when we implement Six Sigma.

BSS: What sort of SS Projects have you working on in past? Kindly mention some in detail including pain areas, implementation, resistance to it and the results.

PS: In the past we have worked on Six Sigma projects for ‘Defect Prevention' which was a major area of concern in our projects and customer was not satisfied with the results. Then we implemented six sigma & discovered new automated tools to automate the process of review & checks for the errors like spelling mistake & placement of 2D views in software (Autocad). Results were really fruitful for the full team involved & also for the customer. Overall, the defects' occurrence was reduced to 50% of what it was before the project.

BSS: What were the factors that drove you to learn Six Sigma tools?

PS: The skills which are required to do the work like I was doing surely needs a power booster tool like six sigma. This gave the process we were following a competitive edge.

BSS: How conducive was your Green Belt experience at Benchmark Six Sigma?

PS: I would say that this training by Mr. Vishwadeep Khatri has changed my way of thinking & also the approach I was having earlier about the practices followed across different industries. At every moment of doing my Project, I felt how comfortable it is to carry out a project even if I am only a Green Belt, contrary to the widespread convention that only Black Belts can do a full project!

BSS: Do you think anybody if willing, can learn Six Sigma? Or it is only meant for academically brilliant people?

PS: Anyone can learn Six Sigma & I would suggest every one across all functions & domains to go for six sigma courses. It will help you in a great transition.

BSS: Please share your future plans in light of Six Sigma and professional growth.

PS: I would like to grow using six sigma concepts & go for Six Sigma black belt certification 6 months down the line.

BSS: What message would you like to leave for the readers as we conclude?

PS: Benchmark Six Sigma is a really very good place to start or hone your skills in Quality & processes. I really got a great advantage over other applicants for the same job I am currently doing even when my experience was lesser then theirs. Thanks to Benchmark Six Sigma.

Thank you very much for your time Pradeep. Team Benchmark wishes you all the best on every front.