Six Sigma Tools
There are many tools within the Six Sigma (SS) methodology. However, it is important to note that it is not neccessary for one to master all the tools before one can effectively implement SS. Below are some common SS tools for each of the DMAIC phases which are essential for most projects.
Key Tools for Define Phase
– Project Charter
– Process Flowchart
– SIPOC Diagram (SIPOC = Supplier Input Process Output Customer)
– Stakeholder Analysis
– CTQ (Critical To Quality)
– VOC (Voice of Customer)
Key Tools for Measure Phase
– Process Flowchart
– Data Collection Plan
– Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
Key Tools for Analyse Phase
– Analysis tools
– Process Mapping
– Statistical Analysis
– Root Cause Analysis
– Cause and Effect / Fishbone / Ishikawa Diagram
– 5 Whys
– Hypothesis testing
– Pareto Analysis
Key Tools for Improve Phase
– Process Mapping
– Brainstorming
– Design of Experiments (DOE)
– Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
– Simulation Software
– Cost / Benefit Analysis
Tools for Control Phase
– Mistake Proofing (Poka Yoke)
– Control Plan
– Statistical Process Control (SPC)
List of Six Sigma Tools
The partial list of SS tools are listed as follows:
5 Whys
Analysis of variance
ANOVA Gauge R
Axiomatic design
Brainstorming
Business Process Mapping
Catapult exercise on variability
Cause & effects diagram (also known as fishbone or Ishikawa diagram)
Chi-square test of independence and fits
Control chart
Control Plan
Correlation
Cost-benefit analysis
CTQ (Critical To Quality) tree
Data Collection Plan
Design of experiments (DOE)
Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
General linear model
Histograms
Hypothesis testing
Kano Analysis
Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
Mistake Proofing (Poka Yoke)
Pareto chart
Pick chart
Process capability
Process Flowchart
Process Mapping
Project Charter
Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
Regression analysis
Root cause analysis
Run charts
SIPOC analysis (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers)
Stakeholder Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Stratification Taguchi methods
Taguchi Loss Function
TRIZ
VOC (Voice of Customer)
Important notes about Six Sigma Tools
Six Sigma tools are powerful but using them blindly can create a lot of frustration and anxiety. Some tools such as Hypothesis Testing and Design of Experiments (DOE) can be challenging for team members not trained in the topics. In fact, some SS projects require very minimal statistics to see significant improvements (especially in the case of service industries).
Related pages that you may be interested in:
- Six Sigma Tools
- Six Sigma Implementation Tips
- DMAIC Define Phase
- DMAIC Measure Phase
- DMAIC Analyse Phase
- DMAIC Improve Phase
- DMAIC Control Phase
- Design of Experiments | DOE
- Design for Six Sigma | DFSS
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