Six Sigma Quality Consulting Services (Proven Methods & Tangible Results)

The fundamental objective of the Six Sigma methodology is the implementation of a measurement-based strategy that focuses on process improvement and variation reduction for any company. Our Six Sigma consulting services are designed to help your business achieve operational excellence.

The methodology includes data-driven tools and techniques to help practitioners objectively understand and quantify how their processes perform.

Six Sigma is about letting the data tell the true story, leading the practitioner to the “root cause” to solve complex problems.

This has been used widely, but Six Sigma’s roots are in improving quality – including defects, mistakes, customer complaints, and returns.

The DMAIC Framework: A Disciplined Path to Improvement and Transformation

Six Sigma is a rigorous problem-solving methodology that uses the well-defined progression phases of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control, known by the acronym DMAIC. This practical approach ensures every project is structured for success and business transformation.

• Define: Problem definition, making sure your team is solving the correct problem and setting a clear project focus.
• Measure: Gathering data that helps explain and quantify the problem.
• Analyze: Reviewing the data to identify patterns that lead to the root cause.
• Improve: Making changes in the process based on the data-driven analysis to enhance performance.
• Control: Putting process steps in place to ensure improvements are sustained for the long term.

For the design of new systems, a similar progression known as Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Verify (DMADV), or Design For Six Sigma (DFSS), is used to build quality in from the start.

Core Six Sigma Principles: Variation, Root Cause, and Value

The Six Sigma methodology was originally implemented to reduce variation in manufacturing processes.

While the tools have been applied well beyond the factory, the core Lean Six Sigma principles have held that true improvement in quality comes from two key actions:

1.) Reducing process variation and,

2.) Discovering the root cause of a problem.

This technique is designed to find a solution that delivers real business value.

Our Comprehensive Six Sigma Training and Certification Tiers

The organizations that packaged these problem-solving tools also created a smart name for the Six Sigma training they provided, with belts representing tiers of capability that can be achieved with proper training and management support.

• Master Black Belts can teach all the tools used in the DMAIC process. Typically, Six Sigma consultants hold this certification, which requires teaching all belt levels. Our organization has two on staff.
• Black Belts are project leaders. This certification often takes 4 weeks of education spread out over a few months. Any effective leader on these projects should have this training.
• Green Belts can support projects and often receive 6 days of classes.
• Yellow Belts receive an overview training in 1-2 days and are valuable team members on any Lean Six Sigma project.

The Six Sigma Toolkit: From Visualization to Statistical Analysis

Six Sigma uses a variety of statistical and graphical tools in the DMAIC process. These tools and techniques, often supported by modern digital technology, include visualization tools such as fishbone diagrams, scatter plots, and Pareto charts, as well as rigorous statistical tools like hypothesis testing, experimental design, and regression to make data comparisons that go beyond intuition.

Combining Strengths: Lean Six Sigma

Six Sigma is often used with Lean principles as a holistic continuous improvement method. This effort to combine the two is called Lean Six Sigma.

While a kaizen event from traditional lean is great for rapid improvement, Six Sigma is good at understanding variation and the root cause of problems.

By bringing together these two methods, Lean Six Sigma provides practitioners with the best tool to work on different problems.

No process can be ‘Lean’ if it produces defects or drives low customer satisfaction. As a leading lean consulting firm, we believe that viewing process improvement holistically results in more robust and sustainable improvements.

Beyond Manufacturing: Optimize Any Business With Six Sigma

Six Sigma, often referred to as Six Sigma Manufacturing, was initially used to improve quality in a manufacturing operation.

Within the manufacturing process, each step is analyzed to understand its process capability and impact on metrics like overall equipment effectiveness and material flow.

The term Six Sigma stands for a process that would produce only 3–4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO).

However, Lean Six Sigma can be used in many industries to reduce costs, including financial services, healthcare, and distribution.

In fact, these high-transaction industries can be a better fit for the DMAIC process, and the principles can be applied to any organization wanting to optimize its performance.

Why Choose Supply Velocity for Lean Six Sigma Consulting?

With over 25 years of expertise, Supply Velocity has implemented hundreds of Lean Six Sigma projects and led thousands of training workshops. Our key differentiator is our focus on implementation with supporting education.

We offer tailored consulting to guide each client on their lean journey, covering all aspects of Lean Six Sigma. We work through the DMAIC process in a practical way that leads to knowledgeable teams and sustainable results.

When choosing a consulting firm, ensure there is a good personality fit and that the firm balances implementation and training to help make continuous improvement part of your company’s culture.

The best consultants mentor your people, ensure performance improvements are achieved, and build a strategy for long-term success. That is our commitment throughout your entire improvement journey.

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