Making the Best of Six Sigma Tools

Six Sigma tools allow for identifying problems tocounts, they are more likely to be motivated and willing
bottlenecks and problems, coming up with solutions toto work harder.
problems, and more. If you want to get the most outSix Sigma tools like fishbone diagrams and SIPOC
of using tools like this with employees, they need to bemodels allow you to identify problems or bottlenecks in
used properly. Some managers like to use them on aprocesses. These tools are not to be used to point the
white board or a projector for everyone to see. This isfinger at individual people or departments for causing
the best approach. Don't print out a blank fishboneproblems. Be sure they are not used this way or the
diagram for employees to fill in. Some managers doteamwork concept will go right out the window. When
this but the problem is that it makes employees workproblems are identified, be sure you identify issues in
individually and not together as a team.every department throughout the business and do not
When you use Six Sigma tools for a meeting, be surefocus on just one area. No one likes to be blamed for
everyone is involved. If one person is not speaking orissues. If a department is having a difficult time, find
contributing to the group, ask him or her questions andways everyone can help remedy the issue. Make the
get them involved. The Six Sigma tools always breakuse of the Six Sigma tools is a positive one.
processes down by departments. You won't have anThere needs to be total clarity within the group on who
employee in the meeting that is not a part of theis performing which task before ending a meeting.
system.When using Six Sigma tools, you can come up with
Always get a consensus if you are making decisionsexcellent ideas a company can use to better a
based on the assumptions and ideas grown from Sixprocess. Don't write them all on the board and assume
Sigma tools used in a meeting. Don't dictate to thepeople are going to work on them. Try to get
group how it is going to be. Always be sure thatvolunteers and assign them to each person. Be sure
everyone in the group is happy with the tasks that areeach individual in the meeting is clear on their task at
going to be set forth. If people are not happy or onhand, the deadline, and how they are going to achieve
board, it can be difficult to move forward with ait prior to leaving the meeting.
project. When you make everyone feel as if their vote