Vishwadeep Khatri

The ratio shall not be 80:20. It may be 90:5 or 60:25 or any other ratio. The main idea is that the majority of failure occurrences are due to minority of the reasons. If you are able to reduce your list of possible X's for the project, you should consider that you have realized the objective.

Hello Pankaj, In your situation, the whole unit is taken either as PASS or a FAIL. This count of FAILED units should be taken as defectives and you can use the yield method for Sigma Level calculation. Regards, VK

Well explained with relevant examples, Aniruddha. Pattabiraman, let us know if you have a follow up question.

Interesting comment. I agree with Rahul. I see lot of people busy doing fire fighting while major gains can be obtained with longer tern thinking. The balance in short term and long term efforts is always needed. Let us, for a while compare Nirula's and Mcdonald's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirula's STARTED IN 1935 http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html STARTED 1940 These companies like everyone had short term pressures. One of them created extra-ordinary processes and reaped the benefits. The other grew but at a much lower pace. This is true in most industries. Toyota Production System has the first business principle - Principle 1. Base your management decisions on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term financial goals. TOYOTA or McDonald's did not use Six Sigma but always had a long term philosophy. Long term thinking is the starting point which leads to great management systems and great results. One of the important reasons for companies not embracing Six Sigma (or other methodologies) is inability to invest in long term.

Dear Durga, It is a good improvement that you have realized in this project. However, not each improvement project is a Six Sigma project. To reiterate, a Six Sigma project is carried out for a chronic problem when cause and solution are unknown. If cause and solution can be found by brainstorming, we do not wish to label it as a Six Sigma project. A project is decided as a Six Sigma project at the start and not after completion of project. If you have completed the project already and you did not use Six Sigma methodology, it is definitely not a valid project. You can discuss with senior management about chronic problem areas that have not been resolved so far (though several common sense methods have been tried). You should be able to find a good project. However, this must not discourage anyone from usage of Six Sigma techniques. The techniques have applicability in large number of situations. Finally it is the business impact that matters and elevates your professional presence in the company. Best Regards, VK

Dear Rajeev, Please have a look at the source of this information http://www.dugganinc.com/cms/index.php?aid=125

Dear Swapna, The Customer Service Department as a focus area seems relevant. You may want to consider one of the following areas. Improving Turnaround time of complaints. Reducing Resolution time of complaints. You may also consider a project that involves customer care and technical team with the following goal Reducing number of critical complaints to 50% Best Regards, VK

Good question. Six Sigma = Total Quality Management (TQM) minus weaknesses of Total Quality Management (TQM) Historically TQM initiatives at most companies have been found to be weak for the following reasons. No structured training was designed. Introduction of Six Sigma initiated structured training.Projects were not supported well by senior management. Whenever operations urgency emerged, TQM assignments were stalled or postponed. Six Sigma has project charters that needed approval. TQM was taken as a Quality management initiative although it did contain the word "TOTAL". Six Sigma created a mechanism of engaging people.There was no mechanism of using world best techniques in a sequence. It was unclear how output of one techniques can become the input for another. Six Sigma DMAIC and DMADV provided the answers. There was no organizational structure for TQM implementation. Six Sigma provided a structure with Champions, Sponsors, MBBs, BBs, GBs, etc. Statistical usage was limited in most TQM initiatives and they mostly hovered around 7 QC tools or Quality Circles. Six Sigma brought in more rigor with statistical techniques, starting from graphical tools and hypothesis testing to the most advanced simulation, forecasting and experimental design methods. Linkage with startegic goals was missing in TQM. In making use of TQM philosophy, any project was ok as long as it improved Quality. In Six Sigma, projects have different levels and significance. Several TQM projects would not get approved as Six Sigma projects as they do not have a strong business case. (linkage with strategic objectives)TQM used more of Lean concepts and philosophy and were culture change drivers with improvements. Six Sigma is used by selected (and specially trained) people who can (or need to) tackle the more complex chronic problems. Hope this helps. Best Regards, VK

Hello Firoz, Orthogonal Arrays that make us use of experimental design (DOE) concepts can be used for this purpose. Please have a look at http://learnsoftwareprocesses.com/2007/08/21/orthogonal-array-testing-strategy-oats/ Best Regards, VK

The word "validate" relates to confirmation. You need to confirm that you have the right team and a meaningful business case. The business case validation requires approval from senior management. (Which means that they see enough business sense in the project and approve use of resources) The Six Sigma project goal can be - "Improve per person productivity" If I were at your place - I would not consider introduction of a tool as a Six Sigma project, as this is a known solution for certain problem. Six Sigma should be used for chronic problems where cause and solution is unknown. Best Regards VK

Some example Six Sigma projects in housekeeping are - Reducing cleanliness related complaints. Maintaining zero defect standards for rodents, insects, pests Reducing complaints related to laundry, dry cleaning services Improving guest satisfaction scores on housekeeping.

Dear Vinod, Thanks for your query. This toll free number is available during 9 Am to 6 PM. However, we shall get in touch with you soon.

Yes, I agree with Dr. RVJ. In the begining of a Six Sigma project, you need to set challenging goals (which you may be unsure of). As you learn more from your process, your project goals can be revised upwards or downwards. Most initial Six Sigma projects should be low risk. As a company gets more confidence on the methodology, you can work with projects taht have more challenging (higher risk of failure) goals. Generally speaking - All Six Sigma DMAIC projects shall have an element of risk (probability of failure) as the causes and solutions are unknown when you begin. Best Regards, VK

Hello Himanshu, You can use Benchmarking to decide process optimization targets. Internal benchmarking may not always give you the best targets. Competitive benchmarking or cross industry benchmarking shall provide you better options. Best Regards, VK

Hello All, Clinical research refers to the entire biography of a drug from its inception in the lab to its introduction to the consumer market and beyond. Phase 1 trials usually deal with investigating the studied drug in a minor number of research subjects who are healthy volunteers The goal of phase 2 trials is to grasp additional understanding of the studied drug's safety and efficacy. It also determines the appropriate dose to be administered to deliver the desired treatment effect while minimizing the safety risk of future research subjects. This usually requires more than 100 patients to demonstrate relevant results, although the actual number of subjects varies widely based on the disease under study. Thus, multiple clinics are utilized to recruit subjects with the disease under study to sufficiently enroll the study(ies) in a reasonable period of time. Phase 3 trials often exposes more than 1000 research subjects with the disease, and is usually performed at many clinics (sometimes well over 100) to enroll the trial (or trials). There is a focus on the effectiveness of the study drug in a variety of demographic and socioeconomic subjects with variants of the disease under study. A comparison is usually made with standard drugs available on the market. It is imperative that the drug is shown to be effective and safe in this phase. In phase 4, the aim is to further characterize the safety of the drug through the identification of unknown adverse reactions and to potentially research new therapeutic indications. Companies often use this phase to gain exposure to different physicians and clinics, which aids in the marketing of their product. Further Trials - Clinical research continues throughout the lifetime of the drug to include post marketing surveillance where a periodic 'progress report' is submitted to the regulatory authorities once every 2 years after the drug is released into the market, and Pharmacovigilance where the safety of marketed drugs, biologics or medical devices are monitored.The focus of clinical research is wide enough to include important items such as data management, medical writing, regulatory consultation, and biostatistics. Given the above background, one can see the Six Sigma tools application at each phase more clearly. In all the phases, you need to choose the right sample sizes of subjects, you need to carry out sufficient and conclusive experimentation (DoE), you need to prove or disprove hypothesis, you need a systematic sequence and engagement of right participants, you need to gather and analyze Voice of the Customer correctly and you need to keep an eye on your goal, budget and timelines. Phase 4 is commonly more than 10 year period for a drug. One area where Six Sigma projects should happen (with great impact on researching companies and on mankind) relates to a reduction in clinical research time cycle without losing on accuracy.

Hello Parag, Six Sigma offers great opportunities for MBAs. The earlier you get in, the more you benefit. Fees - There is a very special fee for MBA students. So, it should be great value for money. This question can be explored through job portals. Have a look at number of jobs with keywords "Six Sigma" at Naukri.com. If you do not find one suitable for you just now, you can find it in a few months (if you start learning now) Six Sigma links well with so many subjects and not just Information Security. Wherever you need structured data driven improvements or a systematical method of creating a process, Six Sigma is one great option. Early stages of your career - Six Sigma can provide you a great thought process. It can provide you with great job openings as well. One MBA student got a dream job in business process re-engineering which is unusual for a fresh MBA because of her Benchmark Six Sigma training.

Practicing Lawyers or for that matter any professional service provider like a surgeon, a structural designer, an architect can make use of Six Sigma in the following ways. Finding and implementing ways to make the service first time right more often. Enhancing support processes so that core processes work more efficiently. Example, "a lawyer can be only as efficient as his support team allows/enables him to be" Understanding voice of customer better through Six Sigma tools. Finding newer ways of delegation and business growth through design and implementation of extra-ordinary processes. Best Regards, VK

Dear All, We have mathematics refresher for all at the following link - http://forum.benchmarksixsigma.com/forum/25-refresh-your-basics-on-data-analysis/ Best Regards, VK

Dear Amit, Please try using a latest version of browser. Hope this helps. Best Wishes, VK

Dear Aseem, You have provided useful inputs on the way Six Sigma is being deployed in this industry. The details you have shared are applicable to a larger audience in process industry (and not just paper and pulp) Best Regards, Vishwadeep Khatri

Dear Aseem, You can send the tools, papers for publishing on this platform. We shall ensure their correct placement and visibility so that people can benefit by these. Also, in the the new website that is under development, we shall be having an article library in the knowledge center section. We shall be updating the tools in the right section once we upgrade. Best Regards, VK

Dear Imran, One key difference is data driven decision making. If you think you shall enjoy it, Six Sigma is suitable for you. Second key difference lies in ability to solve complex problems. If you think you want to be known as a problem solver through DMAIC a or DMADV, by engaging others - Six Sigma is for you. If your focus is on larger projects and managing them (these may be known sequence of tasks with inherent risk that requires on-the-spot or considered decision making), you may prefer PMP at this point. Finally the interesting bit - Project Managers in project related industries (example - software industry) are required to have both competencies - project management and six sigma. Six Sigma leaders in non project related industries are not required to have pmp competence. Regards, VK

Hello All, I have been concerned about change in Benchmark Six Sigma. The pace of change is not in line with our goals. To address this, I plan to initiate BENCHMARK EXCELLENCE PROJECTS at our office. This will change the way we work and shall result in business improvements. These projects shall have linkages with annual appraisals (planned in April every year) The BENCHMARK EXCELLENCE PROJECTS plan goes like this -- 1. Everyone who completes 3 months in the company needs to undertake BE projects. [*]Projects shall lead to points[*]Every quarter minimum 6 points are needed for everyone (except Titu and Balvir) [*]If you undertake more projects successfully while fulfilling your normal targets (and accumulate more than 6 points per quarter) you shall get benefits during appraisal. [*]Some positions shall have a different (from 6 every quarter) minimum points requirement than every quarter. 2. BE projects points shall be on the following basis. A) 5 days project - 1 point If a project is of more than 5 days duration, the points shall be assigned accordingly. For example, 30 days project shall be 6 points and 100 days shall be 20 points Here "Days" means time from start till end of project. Expected time to be devoted shall be in the range of 8 hrs per week for people who have completed 18 months and 4 hrs per week for others. This means a "5 day" project (1 point) shall require approximately 7-8 hours. 3. These BE PROJECTS are not essentially process improvement initiatives. These projects shall be of various kinds like - process improvement projects - understanding and analyzing expectations not met currently - setting up new processes - campaigns to enhance revenue - streamlining and simplifying existing processes - policy review and change - coordinating in web development projects - profitability analysis - coordinating recruitment and selection for a position - expansion related projects - profitability analysis project - etc 4. This list shows that the type of projects may vary a lot. But the common elements in each project shall be A. Projects shall be suggested by you and approved by me. If you are unable to find a project that gets approved, I shall assign a project from a common pool available with me. B. Each project shall be mainly facilitated by team leader but supported by identified team members C. Expected time to be devoted shall be in the range of 8 hrs per week for people who have completed 18 months and 4 hrs per week for others D. Each project shall have timelines for every step. The projects shall be managed via projectpath E. Steps (list of activities) shall vary in different projects. This shall be discussed during start of project and each step and timeline shall be entered in projectpath. I plan to initiate this next week. If you have any questions, you can post them here. Regards, VK

Dear Anil, The question that you have posed for curing temperature in steam vessel is incomplete. You need to know more. Have you collected data properly? Are you sure you have taken the right sample size based on alpha, beta and delta (difference you wish to detect) Have you tested normality? Based on the second question above, you may have to choose one sample z or one sample t or one sample sign test. Best Regards, VK

The chat history disappears once you logout. Only if people see you online, they may type something and you may be able to reply. You need to check whether there is a ping or alert when someone writes in chat. In view of the above, we need to decide whether we want t keep the chat feature or remove it.