When it comes to managing for results, we can make use of various tools and strategies, such as 6Sigma. Created by Bill Smith in 1987, when he was working at Motorola, 6Sigma was launched as a set of best practices to improve the development of processes in the company, with the aim of optimizing resources and maximizing results.

The tool was so successful that it began to be used not only in production, as a support for quality management, but also to improve company management, becoming part of the business environment as a decision support tool for strategic planning.

The 6 Sigma methodology

Based on the PDCA cycle, 6 Sigma follows two main methodologies, DMAIC and DMADV.

1. DMAIC

The DMAIC methodology is aimed at improving product, service and business processes and is divided into five phases:

Define the problem (D): definition of the problem to be dealt with based on feedback from customers and consumers;

Measure key aspects (M): cause and effect analysis to list the possible causes of the problem and their interrelationships;

Analyze (A): analysis of the data collected and identification of the root cause;

Improve the process (I): carrying out tests to improve processes, implementing changes and registering the new process;

Control (C): monitoring and controlling changes to prevent further deviations.

2. DMADV

While DMAIC is aimed at improving existing processes, DMADV is focused on designing new processes according to the needs of the company and its customers. It also has five phases:

Define Goals (D): defining the objectives of the new project;

Measure and identify (M): identify and measure critical points for the success of the new process, focusing on quality and customer satisfaction;

Analyze (A): analysis of the data collected to develop the best products, services and processes;

Design details (D): detailed design, tests and applications to verify effectiveness;

Verify the design (V): final testing of the solution delivery and implementation process.

As you can see, both methodologies are intrinsically linked to the PDCA cycle because they allow for continuous evolution in the company, striving for excellence. In business strategy, DMADV serves as a support tool for strategic planning and DMAIC for implementing continuous improvement projects.

Why you should adopt 6 Sigma

The ease with which you can work with 6 Sigma and expand these best practices throughout the company makes it a very well accepted tool at all organizational levels. The concepts are simple and can be applied from the most mundane processes to the most elaborate, improving company performance in all sectors.

Focusing on the quality of processes makes it possible to optimize the resources consumed in the company and thus increase the productivity of the teams, which reflects positively on the profitability of the business. With fewer resources being consumed, more agile processes and people focused on results, the company wins on several fronts, including competitiveness.

The improvement in organizational performance brought about by 6 Sigma ultimately aims to improve the company's relationship with its customers and consumers, exceeding expectations and generating satisfaction throughout the customer's life cycle with the organization.

Actio’s Strategic Management Software is compatible with the 6Sigma methodology by monitoring the portfolio of process improvement projects and the indicators impacted by these projects. All the projects developed to improve organizational processes can be monitored as a portfolio or integrated into the company's strategies.

Are you familiar with the 6 Sigma methodology? Do you already apply it in your company or are you discovering the potential of this tool? Leave a comment!