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By Ryan J Bell
One of the reasons there is a tightly outlined structural power structure within a standard six Sigma team is because such a structure supports a leader. That individual is immediately responsible for the results produced by their team. the leader’s responsibility extends further. She determines the focus and direction of the project, and plays a significant role in its success ( or, lack thereof ).
Part organizer, part mentor, part forerunner, the person that satisfies the leadership role within a six Sigma team is commonly known as the Champion. Below, we’ll take a closer look at his or her responsibilities. I could explain the importance of the selection and training practice, and what happens if the job is left unfilled. I will also explain how the champ helps to change the culture of an organization and spearheads a drive toward ongoing process improvement.
Focus Starts With Selection And Coaching
Green Belts can be put through a coaching curriculum that lasts one or two days ( though two weeks is perfect ). That is sufficient to get them to standard speed on the technique and the tools they’ll be using to perform their responsibilities. Black Belts need extra training since they will be spending 100 percent of their time on the project. While 2 weeks might be satisfactory, a month is preferable.
Champions can possibly be prepared to perform their job with only a few days of training. They are usually selected by an organization’s senior management, and are pulled from a managerial role. They are tasked with choosing projects, defining goals, and providing focus to the other team members.
In a number of cases, senior management neglects to choose a Champion for a six Sigma implementation. Instead, they select the projects and hand over the responsibility of deployment to the Black Belts. This customarily yields poor results because goals are not properly defined.
What Occurs When Goals Are Left Undefined?
The six Sigma method is built on a DMAIC framework. That represents the five stages of a project : Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. When the executive leadership of an organization fails to choose a champion, the 1st stage ( e.g. Outline ) is neglected. The job of defining goals is typically left to Black Belts who have not been correctly trained and lack the managerial perspective of upper management. Sadly, the outline stage is possibly the most vital part of the methodology.
If goals aren’t correctly outlined, projects which have tiny impact upon an organization’s system might be selected. Or, even in the event the right project is selected, the team’s focus might be ill-judged or derailed. What’s more, without the surefooted leadership of a champ, the 6 Sigma program might take more time than obligatory or generate results that are inconsequential.
Spearheading A Change In Culture
As sharply targeted as a 6 Sigma program is on data and process-related efficiencies, it is also vital for the Cahmpion to work to change the culture within the organization. The technique is not a’quick fix’ solution. It is a continuing pursuit of improvement. To that end, each person in the organization, from the front-line worker to the executive leadership, must be ready to adopt the six Sigma philosophy. Otherwise, enhancements will be short-lived. Their own impacts will be fleeting.
Leadership is vital to the success of a six Sigma implementation. This is the role of the Champion. Once chosen for the job, he or she must work closely with Master Black Belts to gain an understanding about their responsibilities and an appreciation of the logic of the methodology. He or she must also work with senior management to modify the culture of the organization. Without a carefully selected and prepared Champion, a six Sigma deployment hazards mediocre results, or worse.
About the Author: This article on 6 sigma and lean processes is provided by BMGI, a leading education firm in the
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