The Six Sigma Management Approach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Six Sigma Management Approach - Essay Example The concept of ‘six-sigma’ however dates back to the nineteenth century with Gaussian idea of the normal curve. Gauss developed a concept that measured variance in products and processes. Using the normal curve as a basis and integrating both statistical techniques and management concept, Shewhart developed the concept of three sigma as an identification of the point of standard deviation beyond which errors should not be tolerated. The actual development of the six sigma approach was however a result of Motorola Company’s initiative, spearheaded by Smith to improve quality of its product and change its image that had lost reputation in the press and industry. It was however not until the year 1995 when the approach became popular through General Electric’s Welch who made the approach his organization’s identity. The ‘six-sigma’ approach is therefore a mathematical concept that has been applied in business management to eliminate wastes for efficiency (Islam, 2006). The purpose of ‘six-sigma’ approach is to eliminate errors in processes in order to satisfy consumers’ needs. This purpose is achieved by identifying intolerable levels of errors for necessary actions (Islam, 2006). Implementation of the ‘six-sigma’ Implementation of the ‘six-sigma’ involves four major steps that are further divided into sub steps. The first step in implementation of ‘sigma-six’ is assessment of an organization. This stage involves exploration of the organization’s internal factors, a competitive organization for benchmarking, and a subsequent comparison. This is followed by deciding on the approach and allocation of responsibility. The second step involves planning in which the scope of the business, its objectives and drivers as well as its resources is identified for budgeting and approval. Implementation of the strategy, the third step, involves training, application of the approach’s concepts, evaluation, and management of results. The last step in implementing the ‘six-sigma’ involves a continuous monitoring and evaluation of processes for better quality (Harrington, 2006). The scope of healthcare and application of ‘six-sigma’ in health care The scope of healthcare involves meeting patients’ needs through diagnosing their problems and administering medication for curative or preventive purposes. Healthcare therefore aims at ensuring people’s well being. This scope provides a variety of avenues and reasons for application of the ‘six-sigma’ program. The approach, as a tool for quality improvement is effective in developing potential in technology dependent processes such as in the X ray department. The method is also used to enhance patients’ utility levels by ensuring that their needs are efficiently met. The scope of the program that allows for identification of wastes for co rrective measures also establishes its applicability in ensuring accuracy in processes such as laboratory testing and determination of results, billing and medical processes (Antony, Antony and Tanner, n.d.). Benefits of the approach in my organization The approach, based on its possible application in my organization, induces a number of benefits. One of the benefits of the strategy is its quality improvement potential that ensures customers’ satisfaction. As a result, it develops a good corporate image of an organization among consumers. The ability to reduce errors in processes also safeguards patient’

Assignment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Assignment 2 - Essay Example A very good example for this is how manufacturers design the specification of the newer models that are launched in the market. Another result of the global recession is the overwhelming increase of prices of materials used for production in the automobile manufacturing industry. Because of this, production cost for automobiles went up, which resulted to higher capital cost for automobiles. Consumers are not in the mood or rather refraining in engaging in big-ticket purchases, which resulted to low generation of revenue through sales (Crescenzi 2008 p.193). Major automobile manufacturers are now focusing and concentrating in the features and benefits of each model. Since automobile sales have been decreasing drastically over the past year, this proves that the market has lost its capability to buy. And if they could, they become more cautious and concerned about the automobile’s features and the benefits they can get from the automobile. Considering that transportation is one of the most important aspects in everyday life, not only with businesses but households as well, the automobile industry has taken advantage of this aspect to generate demand of supply in the market. This is one strategy to somehow level the ratio of market demand against production and automobile sales. The global recession’s effect in businesses and households is mainly on the income and revenue side. Since prices of petroleum products drastically went high numerous times in the world market these past few months, the need of maximizing revenue and funds against businesses and household expenditures for transportation and automobile maintenance was addressed by upgrading and innovating new automobile features. Engines that are low in maintenance and low fuel consumption had been a recent addition to the newer models that was launched in the market. Non-price competition is a form of traditional automobile market competition that was further inspired by the decrease of