|
Black
Belt – A project team leader trained in the methodology
and Tools of Six Sigma. Generally, a Quality resource specializing
in process improvement projects (benefit $250K per annum)
on a full time basis as both a project leader and as a mentor
to Green Belts. Certification usually entails the completion
of Six Sigma and change leadership training, passing a certification
exam and completing two Black Belt level projects to the satisfaction
of a certification committee.
Champion
– A business leader who facilitates the implementation
and deployment of Six Sigma methodologies. On the project
level, responsible for removing any organizational barriers
confronting Six Sigma project changes.
DFSS – An acronym
for the creation of a process or product employing Six Sigma:
Designed For Six Sigma. It is a structured process to create
a new process that will operate at Six Sigma. Also see DMADV.
DMADV – An
acronym for the five phases of a Six Sigma project: Define,
Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify. A less common application
of the Six Sigma methodology employed when a new process needs
to e created or, an existing process is so badly broken that
it needs to be re-invented. Sometimes referred to as DFSS.
DMAIC – An acronym for the five phases of
a Six Sigma project: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and
Control. The most common application of the Six Sigma methodology
employed when an existing process needs to be improved.
Green
Belt – A full-time employee of a business who leads
more focused Six Sigma projects in addition to their daily
job responsibilities. Green Belt projects are generally completed
in 3-6 months and generate returns of $50,000 and up. Certification
requirements include completing Six Sigma training, passing
a certification exam and completing at least one Green Belt
level project to the satisfaction of a certification committee.
Histogram
– A graphical representation of the variation displayed by a
population during a period of time. More formally, it is a frequency
distribution showing how data is distributed along the abscissa
or horizontal axis of the graph. Histogram
Example
Master
Black Belt – An expert in the tools, methodologies
and application of Six Sigma at both project and strategic levels
in the business. Oftentimes, utilized as trainers for Green
and Black Belts as well as strategic liaisons to executive leaders.
Certification generally requires completion of Six Sigma and
change leadership training, passing a certification exam and
mentoring 20 Green Belts through project completion or completing
one Master Black Belt level project (benefit $1MM per annum)
and mentoring 10 Green Belts.
Process
Capability
– A measure of how well a given process is functioning. It
is dependant on a calculation of the total probability of
defect reflected through short-term variation. Generally expressed:
ZST=6
or sST=6
which means the total probability of defect is 3.4 defects
per million opportunities over the short term.
Run Chart
– Also called a line graph, it displays variation over time.
Run charts can be instrumental in identifying causes of variation
through the display of trends, runs, oscillation and mixtures.
In other words, a run chart can be used to understand whether
your data is stable over time. Run
Chart Example
Sigma
– A Greek letter
in upper case S,
in lower case s.
The lower case symbol
“s”
denotes standard deviation, a measure of variation used extensively
in Six Sigma. Also used to express process capability, “We
are running at 2s”.
Six
Sigma – A process
improvement methodology created by Mikel Harry and Richard
Schroeder at Motorola in the early 1980's. The approach employs
a rigorous project methodology, which utilizes statistical
analysis to identify root causes. As a process measure, it
means 3.4 defects per million opportunities.
Variation
– A quantifiable
difference between individual measurements. Every repeatable
process exhibits variation. When present in a normal distribution
it is measured using standard deviation and can be displayed
in a number of ways, see a histogram for variation during
a period of time and a run chart for variation over time.
|
