Six Sigma is a business method used by a company to improve performance. By designing and monitoring daily business activities to achieve customer satisfaction. This method is created to replace the TQM. Which aims to prevent the occurrence of production defects, save product manufacturing time, and minimize costs.
Conceptually, Six Sigma can also be called a comprehensive and flexible system to provide support. Optimizing production processes to achieve value efficiency that focuses on understanding customer needs. With Six Sigma method, the company will continually strive to pay attention to the suitability and balance of performance performed with what the customer needs.
The purpose of Six Sigma use
The purpose of Six Sigma is to ensure that the entire production process is running optimally. Benefits that can be obtained by the company by using this method, among others, the occurrence of improvements in terms of cost reduction, growth market conditions, reduction of time in the process being run. In addition, this method will also increase customer loyalty, minimize product errors, and help product development.
The method used by Six Sigma
There are two methods commonly used in six sigma. Namely DMAIC (Define Measure Analyze Control) and DMADV (Define Measure Analyze Design Verify). DFSS (Design For Six Sigma). DMAIC is usually used for existing processes. Besides this method is also used by Six Sigma Black Belt Training. While DMDAVor DFSS is used for processes that do not yet exist. The success or failure of the six sigma method depends on teamwork and the tools used during the process of improvement and learning.
- Tools used in six sigma include Quality Function Deployment (QFD). This is a process used to encourage companies to focus on customers. QFD is typically used to solve problems related to the provision of products and strategies to satisfy customers.
- Boxplot diagram, a graph that displays the collection, dissemination, and distribution of a continuous data set. In addition, it can also use the run chart, which is a performance measurement used to identify a trend or pattern.
- Process capability is an indicator used to demonstrate the ability of companies in the production process under the control of the work environment. Another tool is cause and effect diagrams. This diagram contains an analysis of the problems that arise and look for the cause.
- In addition, it can also use Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). This tool is a set of guidelines, processes, and formats used to identify problems. This method teaches that problem-solving is not only on process and work improvement but also in data collection. Another method is Pareto analysis, done by grouping data from largest to smallest. This is to determine the cause of the problem that often occurs.
The advantage gained from using the above tools is to confirm the problem occurs. In addition, it can be used to check the validity of the data. These tools will also help in determining the pattern of data types used. It can also help to know the root cause of the problem.
Before six sigma, a management system called Total Quality Management (TQM) was used. This method is a method of management whose use focuses on customer satisfaction, which is done with continuous change. The approach used in this method is to compete with improvements to products, services, labor, processes, and environment.
Characteristics of TQM
Characteristics of TQM, among others, have a high desire for quality, have a long-term commitment, require teamwork, and improve processes on an ongoing basis. The benefit of using TQM is ensuring customer satisfaction. In addition, TQM can also reduce product defects.
Six Sigma is a better method to use than TQM. This is because the TQM method is too focused on quality, so less attention to other business problems. In addition, TQM assumes that the quality problem that occurs is the responsibility of the QC, but the perception is wrong. TQM put more emphasis on minimum standards of product quality, not how to improve product performance.
The existence of this six sigma method can overcome the problems that exist in the TQM method. Six sigma method uses cost problems, time diagrams, other problems as something to be fixed. In addition, six sigma also focuses on the use of tools to achieve measurable results. Six sigma blends all organizational goals. So the goal is not just to focus on quality.