Perhaps one of the best ways to determine whether or not your process is, in fact, working is through the use of Six Sigma Tools. Using these tools gives the Six Sigma Black Belts a high level of improvement knowledge. These tools should be used by anyone who is involved with making the process work. They are also part of the tool box for improving the system as well. Here are some concepts to keep in mind or commit to memory to ensure success in your endeavors as a certified Six Sigma Professional

The Six Sigma Black Belt needs to understand that all systems and processes contain variation - it is a given. Sometimes the changes are big, sometimes they are small, but they are always a part of the procedure. The way you measure or determine performance also adds variation to the collected data. In order to see this change you will need to measure the same output several times in succession. By observing the differences in your measurements, you should be able to determine the size of your variation or change.

Sometimes the change in a measurement system is so large that it cannot be used for its original intention. Sometimes, expensive systems, no matter how accurate or precise, will not be able to measure your process the way you want. When faced with this challenge, a SSBB will perform a measurement system analysis to decide if the system is the best for what you want it to do. Not performing this test opens your process up to false or misleading data measurements. Eliminating faulty processes is the whole reason for the exercise in the first place.

Collecting valid and correct data is based on the assumption that your process or system will work the same tomorrow and the next day, as it does today. Redundancy is the goal. Inconsistencies in configuration and operation are what should be targeted and eliminated so as not to negate the predictive power of statistics.  Another name for consistent process behavior is called stable or ‘in control’ behavior. If yours is in control, you will be able to use statistics to predict your outcome in future performance. This called Statistical Process Control, or SPC.

With SPC, various factors can be input into the process or system which will affect the output of the process differently. Knowing how each factor affects the process helps, however, it is important for the Six Sigma Black Belt to also know how the factors interact with each other. Therefore, it is important to then use DOE, or design of experiments.