Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Six Sigma and Five Why's

By Craig Calvin

Six Sigma is a quality assurance program that is sweeping the nation and changing the corporate landscape with its unique blend of results-driven change and thoughtful program management. How can Six Sigma training make this huge difference in business? One key reason is that this program identifies root problems through a process known as the Five Why's. The Five Why's are a process of finding the root cause of a problem by following the problem's process to a single, changeable root cause.

The Five Why's are perhaps easier to understand in a colloquial situation. Say your child is getting poor grades. When you ask yourself 'why' for the first time, the immediate reason is that they haven't been performing well. If you stop here, you have no way of forming a concrete solution. However, if you continue asking, you can get to a root cause, as follows:

Problem: Kid is getting bad grades. Why? He is not achieving on average. Why? He doesn't study well enough. Why? He is too busy with extra curricular things. Why? He is over scheduled. Why? He has too many after school commitments.

As you can see, the Five Why's taught in Six Sigma training have reduced a problem that is abstract and difficult to solve to a single root cause that can be corrected for maximum results. The parent in question can now take steps to reduce the extra curricular activities, which, if these are truly the root cause of the low grades, will correct the problem. If immediate and quantifiable results are not achieved, the parent can go back to the drawing board and find the true culprit in their child's difficulties. Imagine the difference when this type of creative analysis is adapted to the business world!

Six Sigma teaches this and many other techniques that will streamline your organization and life. You will quickly cut your competition out, and make a place for yourself in the business world. You do not need a college degree, merely a few weeks to learn Six Sigma training, and you will be on your way to turning your life and business around.

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