Overview/Description Six Sigma is a data-driven improvement philosophy that views all activities within an organization as processes whose inputs can be controlled to effect significant improvements in process outputs. Six Sigma uses a rigorous and systematic methodology known as DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) and a number of qualitative and quantitative tools for driving process, product, and service improvements aimed at reducing defects and variation. Lean is also an improvement methodology, but with a different focus, aiming to enhance process flow, reduce cycle...

Overview/Description The Lean approach is to eliminate waste from an organization's production and fulfillment processes and to maximize every opportunity to improve efficiencies and customer satisfaction. By applying Lean tools and techniques, organizations can become more competitive and responsive to customer demands. For example, the Visual Workplace is a Lean tool that uses of clear visuals such as signs, labels, and color-coded markings to keep workers from wasting time and effort searching for materials. Another tool – just-in-time management – ensures there is a continuous supply...

Overview/Description "The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough just to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs." – Vance Havner, author. However, venturing into Six Sigma is not easy. Deploying Six Sigma is where "the tire hits the road." It requires a lot of hard work and planning. As a Six Sigma Champion, you'll need to plan for and deal with critical Six Sigma deployment issues, develop business-aligned deployment strategies, ensure continued buy-in from top management, and integrate metrics for continuous feedback and review into your plan. This course...

Overview/Description Were you ever in a situation where you started a new project and weren't sure of its effectiveness? Is your new process trending toward success or failure? These are questions that should be on the mind of every manager. An effective manager is continuously gathering, monitoring, and analyzing information as it relates to organizational performance. This course explores data analysis techniques used to detect trends of projects and processes. It describes key concepts in statistical analysis and explains how data-gathering affects the people in an organization and vice...