What Is Six Sigma? Define The Pros And Cons of Six Sigma Methodology

The Six Sigma methodology was introduced by Bill Smith (an engineer) while working at Motorola in the year 1986. The operational methodology is beneficial towards improving the output quality in any given operation. The methodology aims at removing the defects and variations of a manufacturing/business process and uses statistical and empirical methods, along with other quality management procedures and methods. The Six Sigma quality improvement process often has predefined goals towards increasing/adding value and is carried out via a series of steps. For instance, a six sigma plan may aim to reduce cost, reduce the cycle time of any given operational process, increase profit or can be aimed at achieving other goals. An operation that is 99.9% error free is termed as a Six Sigma process.

GE or General Electric adopted this methodology and now each organization is looking for professionals who have Six Sigma certification, in order to improve business processes and to be more profitable and valuable for the end customer. While there are multiple uses and strengths of the methodology, there are also certain disadvantages.

Pros of Six Sigma:

Success ensured

The companies who have implemented Six Sigma methodology successfully in one or more operational and business spheres have gained immensely. Six Sigma has been used towards increasing sales, for increasing stock value, for enhancing customer satisfaction and in many different spheres. GE or General Electric was able to save more than $ 8 billion in the initial 3 years of Six Sigma methodology implementation.

Increases value

Six Sigma has been beneficial towards adding more value and providing improved quality to a business organization’s output that may be in the form of a product or service. Six Sigma can be used to optimize supply chain processes as well and to increase customer satisfaction. Six Sigma once adopted and implemented, becomes a part of business culture, and all processes can be optimized and improved one-by-one.

Avoids wastage and provides learning

Six Sigma identifies the errors and variances beforehand and hence helps in avoiding wastage. It also lowers the costs related to operations and provides greater profits. Six Sigma also creates a learning platform within an organization. The documentation and analysis of processes, errors, and variances provide experts and general employees a greater insight into the business processes and their efficiency.

Cons of Six Sigma:

Difficult implementation

Six Sigma requires a complete participation of all the employees working in the operations, and in other business processes. While it may be easily implemented in a company of smaller size, it can be practically difficult to implement Six Sigma in the large-sized business organizations.

Complications

Six Sigma inspects the business processes minutely and large amounts of statistical and empirical data are generated during its implementation. The data needs to be carefully scrutinized and analysed to find out the variances. The process can be very complicated and time-consuming when running and sustained over a long period.

May get costly in the long run

Six Sigma may provide for cost saving in the long run, but as it is a quality improvement process at its core, it’s repetition beyond a certain point may increase overhead and operational costs.

The Six Sigma course and certification has various skill levels including Yellow/Green/Black/Master Black Belt. Six Sigma certification holders are in high demand today. Six Sigma certified professionals provide business more competition and increase customer retention through implementing strategies that provide enhanced customer satisfaction. Six Sigma experts are valuable towards implementation of the strategic decisions, strategies, and policies and can make a number of business processes smoother and lesser time consuming while preventing wastage and errors. Management and engineering personnel (among other professionals) can obtain Six Sigma certification now to get a promotion, salary hike, better recognition and placement in the premium and Fortune 500 companies.

Read More :- Reasons to Get a Six Sigma Certification