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How Measurement Systems Management (MSM) Enhances IATF 16949 Compliance and Corporate Profitability
In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive manufacturing, the quest for excellence is a constant. Quality assurance, accuracy, precision, and adherence to US and international standards are not mere objectives; they are necessities. In this realm, IATF 16949:2016 stands as the beacon of automotive quality standards. Born from a collaboration of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers…
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Announcing the Release of the 6th Edition of The Six Sigma Handbook by Thomas Pyzdek!
Hello Six Sigma Enthusiasts, We are thrilled to announce the release of the latest edition of the invaluable Six Sigma resource – the 6th Edition of The Six Sigma Handbook, authored by Thomas Pyzdek. This edition comes fully updated with the latest advances and knowledge in the field of Six Sigma, promising to be an…
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A Paradigm Shift in Healthcare: Embracing Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing Principles
Sunday papers often make for light reading, but an article I stumbled upon on, compelled me to think deeply. Titled “Don’t Let a Hospital Make You Sick,” the piece was brimming with startling facts about healthcare practices that are unfortunately more common than most people realize. The Unsettling Reality of Healthcare Errors The article unearthed…
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What Do We Mean by Quality?
Quality, it seems, is harder to define than one might think. The article’s author, Tom Gaskell. takes yet another stab at defining this slippery term. He begins by presenting the widely accepted, intuitive definition of quality as goodness, luxury, or high priced exclusivity. While this is not incorrect, it is of limited use to those…
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Navigating Modern Accounting Practices: Embracing Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing
In a world that’s constantly evolving, some conventional systems risk becoming relics of the past. Accounting methods, for instance, have been grappling to keep pace with advancements in process excellence disciplines like Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and the Theory of Constraints. The result is a potential discord that can hamper the progress of organizations seeking…
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Reimagining Strategic Planning: The Power of Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing Principles
In any Lean Six Sigma practitioner’s toolkit, batch and queue processing often holds the notorious reputation of a wasteful approach to production. Yet, this method remarkably mirrors the strategic planning process utilized by many organizations today. In this post, we’ll examine the parallels between these two and propose a transformative approach rooted in Six Sigma…
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Six Sigma and Innovation: Debunking the Myths
Bold headlines often proclaim: “Six Sigma destroys innovation!” But does it really? We’re here to address this misconception and shed light on how Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing truly interact with innovation. Six Sigma: A Threat or a Boon to Innovation? First, let’s address the myth head-on. Critics claim that Six Sigma, with its structured…
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Uncovering the All-or-Nothing Nature of Six Sigma
A “toe in the water” approach won’t always tell you if Six Sigma will work. Lately, potential clients have approached me, requesting a sample project to gauge if Six Sigma might work within their organizational structure. I cautioned against this move. Such an exploratory approach only indicates a lack of commitment to the full implementation…
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Using the Theory of Constraints to Choose Six Sigma Projects
The theory of constraints helps pick winning projects. If you choose the wrong projects it’s possible to make big “improvements” in quality and productivity that have absolutely no impact on net profit. One approach uses the theory of constraints (TOC) to determine which project(s) to pursue. Every organization has constraints, which come in many forms.…
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Human Metrics in Six Sigma
Six Sigma teaches us to view everything as a process. We should take an objective look at the system, measure the values, form a model, enact changes on the process, and observe the effects of these changes. However, we sometimes want to measure objectively something that is intrinsically subjective, the opinions of people. These fall…