Six Sigma has come a long way since it was first conceptualized. It has been constantly evolving and is likely to grow more in the coming years. The methodology provides a vast playground for those keen to transform their business workflows and make the best of use of the opportunities available to their business.

Those interested in the field should keep watching the space for exciting new developments, as Six Sigma holds the promise of limitless opportunities to those who are keen enough to identify and utilize them.

Six Sigma and the Future

Six Sigma is based on the concept of continuous improvement. This technique promises increased sales, lower costs, and greater customer satisfaction levels. The methodology is centered around measurable improvement in quality and there is no better solution to achieve these standards.

The future of Six Sigma is likely to involve the following key trends:

• Use of Lean with Six Sigma: The use of lean techniques with Six Sigma has a proven greater impact on long-term success since, in addition to the minimization of variance, the tools also help remove waste processes from the cycle. The future is likely to see the continued use of Lean techniques so as to enhance quality to a much greater extent than otherwise possible. This, in turn, would lead to greater customer satisfaction and ultimately to the realization of business objectives. It is important to realize that each business and situation is completely different from the other and the approach to quality control should be customized and chosen accordingly.
• Utilization of Customer Data: Mining business and customer data will assume prime importance in the future. Even today, businesses are increasingly becoming aware of the huge potential of large datasets and a comprehensive data analysis.
• Data-driven and Fact-based Decision-Making: It is important to emphasize the need for a decision-making approach that is data-driven and fact-based since this is the essence of the Six Sigma strategy. Dubbing timely project completion as an improvement is a trend on the verge of extinction in the complex business environments of today.
• Process Size: Process improvement is maximal with three to six-month projects that follow the DMAIC strategy. This is expected to continue into the future.
• Valid Certifications: As Six Sigma is widely being used by businesses in all sectors, it will also be important for users to be wary of worthless certifications that have no real benefits.
• Powerful Analytical Tools: The use of lean and graphical analysis tools will assume even more importance in the near future. Businesses should also afford equal importance to techniques such as regression analysis and DOE (design of experiments)
• Use of Modern Technology: The future will see increased use of modern technologies, including sophisticated computers in the field of Six Sigma. Modern technology makes it easier than ever before to collect and analyze data at much faster rates. Furthermore, it is also becoming easier to observe a large number of processes with high accuracy. The cumulative effect is that human errors are reduced and lower waste is generated.
• Staying Away From Wrong Lean Trends: Businesses must stay away from shortcut approaches and the desire for instant results. Continuous improvement is a difficult process, for, if it were easy, everyone would adopt the techniques with little effort.
• Team Skills: The future will also see an increased emphasis on interpersonal and team skills. Businesses will seek the expertise of professional LSS Green Belts and Black Belts in implementing company strategy and leading the process improvement programs.
• Operational Excellence with LSS: Businesses will focus more on OpEx programs and frameworks. Such initiatives would help lead quality and process improvement efforts within the company, resulting in a robust and diverse process improvement program.

Future Trends for Performance Excellence

The future will see performance excellence initiatives take the front seat in businesses. Experts envision that the detection of defects will be easier in the future. Since this is one of the main focus areas of the Six Sigma approach, there will likely be a lot of developments in this area.

Sustainable development will be the central topic for most companies, and is expected to bring a paradigm shift.

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HP focuses on an innovative approach to product design based on the Six Sigma approach. The company calls this The HP Method. The company believes that there are several advantages to be gained by having a process focus.” In addition, there is also a focus on design.

When Motorola introduced the Six Sigma approach, HP was one of the first companies to adopt the strategy along with Honeywell, GE, and Boeing, amongst others.

Preparing for the Future

According to Carly Fiorina, all business processes in the future will be digital, mobile, and virtual. It is with this guiding principle that the company has been approaching development.

HP’s Process Focus,” it might be mentioned, is one of the hallmarks of the Six Sigma approach. The latter uses a data-driven and fact-based management strategy for maximal efficiency.

HP envisions a future where business processes will increasingly embrace new technologies. It is important, therefore, to modify management strategies continuously. This is because they must depend on the process which undergoes a continuous change in the modern world as new technologies emerge and evolve.

HP Business Processes

The company has measured and defined processes and best practices across the enterprise. HP uses open standard operations reference models to partner effectively and easily. 

The company believes in making decisions rapidly and responding quickly to the changing needs of the market. It is essential to do away with ill-defined processes as well as flows inconsistent across company segments.

It is also important to effectively measure the results of changes for a successful business growth. All of these strategies are in alignment with the core ideals and goals of the Six Sigma strategy, which emphasizes metrics and the need for measuring outcomes.

Business Process Redesign

Business process redesign entails working out strategies to improve the existing business processes. A reduction in costs and an increase in productivity are the end goals. HP recommends beginning by thinking about the aims and outcomes you wish to achieve. It is also important to be realistic about the possible shortcomings.

• Setting Clear Goals: It is important to set specific objectives. Goals can be actioned only after they have been established along with the outcomes. Ensure all projects are working towards achieving the same outcome.
• Identify all Business Processes and Prioritize: It is essential to maintain a clear and up-to-date list of all business processes. Businesses need to have a thorough understanding of everything they are working with in order to make improvements and changes.
• Integrate all Activities: Develop one workflow and integrate all new activities into it. Consider consolidating and streamlining all business activities. Count your freelancers too as in-house assets.
• Routinely Capture Data: It is of critical importance to capture data on a routine basis. Several options for data capture are available to businesses today.
• Capture Information At The Source: When a process is ongoing, consider changing it to incorporate data capture instead of creating a new process for the purpose. This will help save time and energy. It is also important to give more autonomy to clients in their current roles. This results in high morale and productivity boosts.
• Empowering Employees to Control Processes: Empower people to make decisions regarding the processes they perform. Remove unnecessary steps in process chains and prefer single approval systems wherever possible.

A successful business process redesign project is concise, clear, and controlled. Such projects leverage the expertise of people from all areas of the business to develop such processes that are realistic.

Conclusion

HP uses The HP Method which is an innovative approach to product design. The company maintains a strong focus on business processes. It attaches significance to the measurability of the results of the changes for long-term success.

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What is a Strategy?

Dense analysis is different from strategy, which must be conveyable to others. We know the best strategies provide direction, motivation, and guidance. This guidance should be directly linked to project and organizational goals, demonstrating what to do and how. It can be tricky to retrain your mind to work strategically, but it always pays off in the end. An excellent strategic framework is like an hour glass. The five stages that accompany you on your journey from theory to action are outlined below:

1. Theorizing. This encompasses your vision for the next three-to-five years. Shaping your strategy from the ground up will serve all your needs.
2. Winning Priorities. Small successes are fine and nice to have, but your attention should focus on your primary goals. Point your compass in that direction to effectively prioritize your efforts.
3. Breakthrough Goals/’Vital Few’ Goals. It’s important for you to know the difference between the two and how to serve them both.
4. Yearly Targets and Objectives. Again, while Six Sigma may afford you some quick wins in the interim, don’t lose sight of your annual targets and objectives.
5. Action. Here is where projects and activities take place, the doing phase. Following this model will teach you how to theorize and prioritize on your way towards deciding adequately. From then on all that’s left is action (the easy part!).

How to Balance Strategy with Quick Wins

Remember, in Six Sigma it’s better to improve everything by 10% than one process by 100%. As such, while you might find focusing your time and effort on one particular process to prove successful, it ultimately neglects other equally important process areas. Balancing quick wins with your wider aims isn’t as easy as it sounds, though. Your organization needs to use focus, balance, and stretch techniques to meet your goals.

• Focus requires you to have a clear vision of your organizational targets. Use analytical techniques to assess your goals, reflecting customer demand and other market drivers. This will give you a better idea of the picture of which you are a part.
• Balance. While short-term financial success can provide focus, it should not distract from long-term goals. Many companies end up with less than they promise in pursuit of business achievements that only momentarily satisfy. This is not a successful strategy, and you can gain growth in revenue, profitability and investment returns only through the contrary.
• Stretch is important for companies to understand as it allows us to make educated decisions when extending targets. While you may have had a string of smaller financial gains in quick succession, playing it safe isn’t always as profitable as it seems. Knowing when and how to reach beyond current plans can help you achieve more in the long-term.

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