However, this
is only the case when the implementation of Six Sigma has been done
properly. Unfortunately, this is not
always what happens. Mis-implementing
Six Sigma can be extremely damaging to a business.
Because Six
Sigma often leads to an entire overhaul of every single process and function
within a business, its implementation impacts all levels and employees. When done properly, this means that every
employee and process will be used to its fullest potential, creating the
highest level of quality, and leading to the most successful bottom line. On the other hand, when implemented
improperly, the changes that are made on every level of an organization’s
functioning can be detrimental, if not fatal.
This is what
makes it so important for companies that are willing to take on wall-to-wall
changes that are required by Six Sigma to make sure that they have the correct
help in applying the strategies. This is
the only way to ensure that it has been done properly.
Unfortunately,
this is not the path taken by 80 percent of companies that are attempting Six
Sigma implementation. Only 20 percent,
therefore, truly benefit from what Six Sigma strategies have to offer.
By making
incorrect wall-to-wall changes, they experience the struggle of the transition,
and never reap the rewards that are supposed to come afterwards in the vastly
improved business processes. Customers
are no more satisfied, product and service quality is no higher, and resources
are not used any better. Even if the
business was able to achieve a similar success level to what it was
experiencing before going through the faulty Six Sigma change, it will rarely
be able to compensate for the period of struggle throughout the implementation,
when dramatic spending occurred, and profits were greatly reduced.
When you make
the decision to take advantage of what Six Sigma has to offer your
organization, make certain that the necessary employees receive the correct and
complete training required. Then, be
certain that implementation begins within seventy two hours of the completion
of that training, while the motivation and the understanding is still extremely
fresh. By waiting too long after the
training, details blur, and it becomes too easy to implement the wrong
processes.