Reflective Report:- “Using six-sigma to improve processes”
This reflective report helped me to understand the importances of six-sigma for improving the process. It also supported me to learn new necessary skills that will be helpful for my future career. In addition to this, by undertaking this concept, I learned about the real meaning of the six-sigma and its significances in my life (Pepper & Spedding, 2010).
Basically, I understood that six-sigma is not only helpful to improve the quality of processes, but it also helped me to develop the skills of identifying the maximum errors and defects in a business process and eliminate them. Therefore, this skill set assists me in future to deal with all improvements that I need to perform in the organization. Moreover, in six-sigma module, I went through all stages of six-sigma (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) that increase my capacity to bring improvements in any processes.
These practices also helped me to learn about the ways and techniques to achieve the continuous improvements in the business operations. This skills will contribute to my future profession in which I easily bring the improvements and able to generate more profits for them (Snee, 2010). Therefore, it can be stated that the six-sigma modules is very essential for the Company also as it helps them in managing their continuous operational process effectively and effectively. At the same time, this study also helped me to understand that how six-sigma helps to bring improvements in the process and able to enhance the quality.
Moreover, I also recognized that with the help of six-sigma, there are various benefits that provide to the organization. Similarly, it helps the organization to reduce the number of errors. Likewise, six-sigma enables to demonstrate uninterrupted efforts and also helps in achieving the stability in the process that contributes to bringing improvements in business (DelliFraine et al., 2010). Furthermore, the six-sigma process also helps to give the advantage of cost cutting and enhancing revenue through adopting managerial and leadership skills.
Besides that, six-sigma practices also provide support to the business in standing with this competitive market through bringing the innovation. The innovation would be adopted by using the agile and lean method under the six-sigma exercise. Thus, this will help the company to incorporate the innovation and sustain in longer time in the market. At the same time, I also learned that six-sigma also provides the competitive advantage to companies through making improvements in the operations of them (Kull & Wacker, 2010).
In addition to this, I also acknowledged that the six-sigma is used in the best efficient way for managing the operational activities. Thus, with this study, I expand my knowledge that six-sigma process is followed because to develop the efficient operations and functions of the business. As per this study, the six-sigma proved to be beneficial for the companies in regards to satisfy more customers and make them loyal towards the particular brand.
Six-sigma also contributes to employees satisfaction through give a chance to management to explain the employee’s role and responsibility. So, it can be easily stated that six-sigma focuses on the long-term goals rather than simply catering the needs of customers (Antony, 2011). However, this study makes me learn about the different benefits of the six-sigma from which company able to achieve targets and survive for a long time.
In regards to this study, I also compare and contrast of different approaches of six-sigma like agile or lean, TQM, just-in time, process excellences, etc. Hence the comparison study helps the company to determine which approach is more important and prove to be useful for the company in different situations (Salah et al., 2010).
At the same time, the study also reflected that the sum of all these approaches bring the quality operational process and cut down the maximum cost of the company. Therefore, I learned that this is the best-suited method for the organization to stay in this competitive business environment.
On the other side, I also identified that companies mainly used the lean and agile method in their business process as it helps the company to cut their maximum cost through reducing the maximum wastage. Thus, it leads to low cost of product and service offering, and it also helps in giving tough competition to other key competitors in the market (Gamal Aboelmaged, 2010).
While manufacturing companies like Toyota used the just-in time approach in their processes. It is because just-in time method to reduce the ideal time and number of faults and defeats. From this reflective report, I learned that the different six-sigma approaches contribute to the business in terms to compete and stay in the competition in the market.
This comparison analysis helps me to understand the different approaches so that I can also use such approach effectively in my future career. Besides that, with this study, I came to know that six-sigma practices are the current necessity of today’s changing business environment. It is considered as valuable sources that ensure the productivity by implementing the improvement in the processes and retain the quality (Brun, 2011). Therefore, six-sigma plays a significant role in improving the operations of any business.
Moreover, it is also learned that in every organization whether it is small or big, the top management has played a crucial role in deciding regarding apply the six-sigma practices in the organization. Six-sigma will support the business in different key areas which may help in achieving the competitive position. At the same time, six-sigma also contribute in reducing downtime and managing the time of the company.
Thus, six-sigma considers as the best technique to improve the operational process of the company, so in regards to this, every management should incorporate such technique into their business functions. Therefore, the six-sigma module plays a vital role in my life in regards to give me overall learning and detail understanding about the six-sigma practices and its importance for the company (Parast, 2011). At the same time, after going through this study, I also develop the necessary skills in myself to perform better in my future career.
References
Antony, J. (2011). Six Sigma vs Lean: Some perspectives from leading academics and practitioners. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 60(2), 185-190.
Brun, A. (2011). Critical success factors of Six Sigma implementations in Italian companies. International Journal of Production Economics, 131(1), 158-164.
DelliFraine, J. L., Langabeer, J. R., & Nembhard, I. M. (2010). Assessing the evidence of Six Sigma and Lean in the health care industry. Quality Management in Healthcare, 19(3), 211-225.
Gamal Aboelmaged, M. (2010). Six Sigma quality: a structured review and implications for future research. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 27(3), 268-317.
Kull, T. J., & Wacker, J. G. (2010). Quality management effectiveness in Asia: The influence of culture. Journal of operations management, 28(3), 223-239.
Parast, M. M. (2011). The effect of Six Sigma projects on innovation and firm performance. International Journal of Project Management, 29(1), 45-55.
Pepper, M. P., & Spedding, T. A. (2010).The evolution of lean Six Sigma. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 27(2), 138-155.
Salah, S., Rahim, A., & Carretero, J. A. (2010). The integration of Six Sigma and lean management. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 1(3), 249-274.
Snee, R. D. (2010). Lean Six Sigma–getting better all the time. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 1(1), 9-29.
