Only 25% people use six sigma after the training. One of the reason is, they are confused from the training, and so many available tools. But, which one to use? Where to start?

this article covers:

• Six sigma DMAIC – beginner
• Six Sigma green belt tools – list
• Basic tools high level review
• Six sigma is easy

Hot news, folks. In order to help you as much as I can in your improvement efforts, I have launched non-binding consultation program. I would like to help you with:

• Lean culture implementation in your organization
• Six Sigma projects consultations
• Lean Six Sigma trainings and certifications support
• Project management theory turn into practical usage
• Your career planning

First 30 minutes of consultation for free, every additional 1 hour 10 USD.

Six Sigma DMAIC – beginner

I tell you a great news. You can improve 80% problems by using 20% of tools. Yes. This is true.

There is a list of tools you will follow and definitely improve your process. But as I mentioned so many times in my previous articles, no need to use them all.

And yes, this is great example of pareto distribution, which is one of the tools to be used at the start. 😉

I do videos, blog posts, and all templates for free, in my free time. I will appreciate if you can donate me a cup of cofee, for more energy in my creation. (1 dollar counts, too 😉 Click on this link: I would like to support Erik in his effort

Six Sigma Green belt tools

So, which tools definitely to use when you first try? It is:

• Project charter,
• SIPOC,
• Waste walk, or Gemba walk,
• Baseline measures,
• Value added and non-value added identification,
• Pareto chart,
• Fishbone diagram,
• Ideas generation, also called Brain-storming
• Pilot solution,
• Implementation plan,
• Training plan and monitoring.

As you see, there are representatives from each DMAIC project phases. There can be situations, or projects, where you will need to use other tools too. Of course, it is very likely to happen that you will need one or two other tools to understand root cause for example. Or to develop solution. That is OK.

I would say, this set of tools is a baseline for all your projects. Not just at the beginning of lean six sigma career.

It is great to know, that there is not any heavy statistics. Like ANOVA, or capability understanding. Or longer time and very deeper understanding required initiatives, like Value stream mapping or Capacities calculation.

erik from six sigma mania

98% of the time I do not use statistics, at all. I do not like statistics. I do not like collecting data. Yes, there is a measure and analyze phase. But it only sounds terrible. In our example, cooks were able to drive changes. And they used watches to measure, and logic, that told them where to improve.

Six sigma Fast food DMAIC improvement example – read here

Basic tools high level review

Lets review briefly about each tool mentioned previously one by one.

Project charter helps to unify project goal and its deliveries between team leader sponsor and the team. Always start project by using this tool.

Here is a link to download project charter template.

SIPOC, Helps team with identifying in scope process, its boundaries. Identifies deliverables to final customers, and process needs to make customer satisfied. (More details about SIPOC here)

Waste walk is visiting improved area by project team and identifying obvious wastes and opportunities for improvement.

Value added and non-value added identification is process review and wastes identification by process it self. It triggers actions for improvements to eliminate wastes.

22 six sigma green belt certification prices review – read here

Baseline measures are measures that helps with basic process parameters like time, or speed measures.

Pareto chart helps with revealing where is the biggest potential for improvement. We can improve 80% of pain By addressing the biggest issue. (read more about Pareto + excel template here)

By using fishbone diagram we address mal functioning process effects, by identifying its causes in this scheme. Fishbone is a great tool to be used with the next tool.

You can download fishbone analysis, Task list and 5 whys template on the link below:

Download fishbone template

Here is how fishbone template for download looks like:

There is task list template I use in my projects all the time included. It looks like this:

There is 5 whys analysis template included, On top of that:

You can download fishbone analysis, Task list and 5 whys template on the link below:

I do videos, blog posts, and all templates for free, in my free time. I will appreciate if you can donate me a cup of cofee, for more energy in my creation. (1 dollar counts, too 😉 Click on this link: I would like to support Erik in his effort

Simple continuous improvement tools – read here

Ideas generation, or brainstorming. Teams effort to come out with ideas that could possibly improve process. Remember, there no bad ideas, only with higher importance.

Pilot solution. Once you have identified solution, be cautious about implementing it. Try to implement small portion, small area to fine tune it prior changing the old process.

Once you know what is the problem solution, and it is complicated one, thing about using Implementation plan, Plan carefully steps that will guide you to final result.

Training plan and monitoring is about creating, or updating instructions. Letting people working in the process to know, what are the changes they will be affected. Important is creating metrics that will help process owner after project finalization and transition to control new process.

Pareto excel template download:

There are 4 different lists in this excel.

• List 1 – Pareto template (create any pareto analysis)
• List 2 – Pareto discrepancy example
• List 3 – DMAIC tool list template (photo)
• List 4 – Personal goals pareto template (list daily tasks, and check how it supports your ultimate goal)

And this si preview what you will download

You can download Pareto template on the ling below, It contains JFK long term plan on top it.

How to do Waste walk / gemba walk? – read here

Six sigma is easy

Do not be scared of using these tools wrong way. It can be part of your learning curve, which is ok. Improve your skills by repeating, and using each tool over and over again.

Remember, if you improve process during your first projects by 60%, 40%, or even by 20% it is worth it. You can repeat improving initiative, and improve process next time a litter better. Just keep to have a fun.

Do not forget to visit and subscribe my YouTube channel. I am uploading Six Sigma, Lean and Project oriented videos regurarly. So, stay tuned.

Yours sincerely Erik.