The following are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) on Six Sigma, Lean, and the services offered by Pivotal Resources. Simply click on a question to see the answser and click on the question again to close the answer box.
Six Sigma and Lean
- What is Six Sigma?
There are three basic ways to define Six Sigma:
- A statistical measure of the performance of a process or a product
- A goal that reaches near perfection for performance improvement
- A System of management to achieve lasting business leadership and world-class results
Six Sigma is a smarter way to manage, putting the customer first and using facts and data to drive better solutions. Companies that can consistently apply these methods and tools are much better prepared to use change as a core competency of their operations.
Six Sigma efforts target a variety of critical business objectives:- Improving customer satisfaction
- Accelerating process cycle times and time-to-market
- Reducing defects
- Controlling variation and improving predictability
- Reducing costs – without "unintended consequences"
- Improving end-to-end process management and measurement
Improvements in these areas usually represent dramatic financial benefits to businesses, as well as opportunities to retain customers, capture new markets, and build a reputation for top-performing products and services. For a simple but thorough explanation of Six Sigma, we recommend reading What is Six Sigma?
- Is Six Sigma right for my organization?
Embarking on Six Sigma begins with a decision to change. The starting point is to realize that there is a better way to run your organization. Although many questions need to be answered before determining a company's readiness, here are some steps to give you an idea of what's involved:
- Assess the outlook and future path of the business
- Is the strategic course clear for the company?
- Are our chances good for meeting our financial and growth goals?
- Is the organization good at responding effectively and efficiently to new circumstances?
- Evaluate your current performance
- What are our current overall business results?
- How effectively do we face and meet customer requirements?
- How efficiently are we operating?
- Review systems and capacity for change and improvement
- How effective are our current improvement and "change management" systems?
- How well are our cross-functional processes managed?
- What other change efforts or activities might conflict with or support a Six Sigma initiative?
For an in depth explanation, we recommend reading The Six Sigma Way.
- Assess the outlook and future path of the business
- What is Lean?
The basic idea behind Lean is that anything that doesn't add value to the customer is waste. Lean initiatives apply innovative tools and iterative continuous improvement to processes so that waste and cycle time can be eliminated, and flexibility can be optimized. Typical Lean efforts examine the route a product or service takes to get to the customer, the handoffs involved, the errors corrected and the delays encountered.
Lean methods were pioneered in the automotive industry and first applied coherently as the "Toyota Production System." They have since been adapted to many industries and today Lean methods are being used with significant results even in service and transactional businesses. - How do I determine if Lean or Six Sigma is best for my organization?
In most cases, this is not really an "either-or" question. Some types of problems or goals lend themselves to a more Lean-inspired approach, while others are a better fit for what might be called a "Six Sigma" method. In reality, both Six Sigma and Lean use many common tools and ultimately your organization will probably want to have abilities to integrate the two. What is important is that these two methodologies can be applied together ("Lean Six Sigma") for focused and faster results.
Corporate Consulting and Training
- How do I go about implementing Six Sigma and Lean in my organization?
Pivotal uses a Four-phased approach to guide the implementation of Six Sigma, Lean or similar business improvement initiatives: Orientation, Preparation, Roll-out and Integration. The emphasis is on designing an implementation approach that best fits your organization, while building on the lessons we and many of our clients have learned in building these capabilities and achieving results.
- How different is training at a company-wide level compared to classes for individuals?
Although our standard training and materials are readily suited for most organizations we recognize that each company has a unique culture. Because of this we adapt our training to produce curricula and materials that are specific to company needs.
- How long does Green Belt and Black Belt training typically take?
Depending on the needs of your business, Pivotal uses either a Phased or Integrated approach. The Phased approach is broken up into two sessions: a 2-week "Core" DMAIC course for both Green Belt and Black Belt candidates; and a 6-day "Advanced" analytical skills workshop for Black Belts only. The Integrated approach is a 3-4 week DMAIC course that incorporates process change and analytical skills. More information on our Black Belt and Green Belt DMAIC workshops can be found here.
- Does Pivotal provide project coaching and support?
Yes, to enhance project results and reinforce learning, Pivotal offers coaching to project teams, Black Belts and Master Black Belts. Coaching support can be arranged on-site or remotely. More information on coaching can be found here.
Open Enrollment Training
- What courses does Pivotal offer to the public and where are they held?
We offer the full range of Black Belt, Green Belt and Champion training courses to individuals or small groups. Classes are held in major metropolitan areas in the US, Europe and Asia.
- Do participants receive a certificate for completing a course?
Yes, all participants who complete our training courses receive a Pivotal Resources workshop completion certificate.
- Is certification offered along with training?
Certification is available to participants, however we recommend that you consider what level or type of certification is most appropriate for your needs. Some preparation beyond just attending class is usually needed to achieve a passing score. For more information on certification, please visit our section on Qualification and Certification or read the FAQs below.
Qualification and Certification
- What is the difference between Qualification and Certification?
Qualification is an indication of one's comprehensive knowledge of Six Sigma concepts, which is evaluated by taking a written exam. Certification includes all of these elements in addition to the proven ability to apply DMAIC tools to practical business issues, which are evaluated through real-life DMAIC projects. For more information, see our section on Qualification and Certification.
- What are the requirements to become a Qualified/Certified Green Belt or Black Belt?
At both Green Belt and Black Belt levels becoming Qualified involves taking a written exam (Core Skills Exam for Green Belt; Core Skills and Advanced Exam for Black Belt). In addition to the exam(s), becoming Certified requires applying knowledge to real-life business projects. Projects requirements and other program details can be found here.
- Is training through Pivotal Resources required in order to become Qualified or Certified?
Our assessment process is available to anyone who feels they have the necessary knowledge and experience to receive recognition as a Green Belt or Black Belt. If you have received training elsewhere, or have had the opportunity for extensive on-the-job learning, you may be a good candidate to seek Pivotal's Certification. However, please be aware that our criteria for either level include more than just "tool knowledge," and covers such topics as team management, project selection, and basic Six Sigma and Lean business concepts. If you have further questions, please contact us.
- What work experience is required to become Certified?
Candidates must possess the necessary experience to properly apply the methodology to certification project requirements. However, there is no specific amount of work experience required to become certified. More information on project requirements can be found here.
Online Tools
- What are the advantages of e-learning over a live classroom?
E-learning can never completely replace the interactive experience between instructors and participants. However in cases of high-level learning for large audiences, e-learning can be the most effective and practical approach. Our nLighten™ course is a tool designed to teach the basics of Six Sigma to large groups that is accommodating to busy schedules and dispersed locations. More information on nLighten can be found here.
- Does Pivotal offer any support tools for particpants in its training courses?
Oaktree™ is an online reference tool designed to support Black Belts, Green Belts and Champions through their DMAIC projects. Equipped with a database of over 120 tools its function is to help guide users through the DMAIC process by providing examples and recommended solutions. More information on Oaktree can be found here.