Integrating Six Sigma With Other Management Programs



New tools and techniques have been developed over the years to keep pace with technological advancements, but the basic concepts and methodologies underlining such systems still remain the same. The only significant change can be seen in the way these systems are used nowadays. Earlier, these systems were used as standalone quality improvement techniques, but since quality has now become vital for a company's success, the trend is shifting towards the integration of such systems with the overall management framework.

This basically implies that businesses now prefer organization-wide deployment of Six Sigma rather than using it for making improvements in standalone business processes. When it is integrated with all the functional departments such as sales, purchase, production, inventory, and others, it makes it easier for the business to increase efficiency, improve quality and reduce operational costs, things that are necessary for developing competencies and maximizing profits.

Integrating 6 Sigma within the management framework is not all that difficult because it has a lot in common with management programs that form the base of the management framework. Just like any other management program that aims to achieve a pre-determined goal within the stipulated time period, quality control systems share the same basic objectives.

For example, Six Sigma aims at achieving the highest possible quality over a specified period, which is usually 3 to 6 months depending on the complexity of the implementation project. The level of quality in an organization that does not have proper quality control systems is usually 3 sigma, 4 sigma, or 5 sigma. To take the organization to the highest possible quality level, and that too within the specified time is thus the main objective of Six Sigma quality control systems.

Benefits Of Six Sigma Quality Control Systems

They offer a wide range of both short term and long term benefits. The short-term benefits relate to the increased efficiency and the improved quality of products and services whereas the long-term benefits relate to the substantial increase in customer satisfaction levels, which in turn helps in developing customer loyalty, vital for the long-term success of any business enterprise.

Other benefits relate to the substantial increase in employee motivation levels brought about by the drastic reduction in employee workload. All these benefits are quite important because ultimately they help the organization in achieving the desired business goals and objectives.