Ask the Lean Six Sigma Experts

What is the best method to help show how various areas that are saving time are actually using that time for other work?

• GoLeanSixSigma.com

Another question I have is, what is the best method to help show how various areas that are saving time are actually using that time for other work? As a PI person, I know that we cannot always know. So any thoughts would be helpful. I ask them, what will you do with your freed…

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How can you get executives to really understand the true value is beyond just measuring or focusing on Hard Dollar savings?

• Tracy O'Rourke

Working in the banking industry, how can you get executives to really understand the true value is beyond just measuring or focusing on hard dollar? We are counting time savings but that always turns into a conversation on how we can reduce head count. It’s very important that head count is not a goal of…

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Could you share examples of Black Belt level projects?

• Tracy O'Rourke

We have a black belt success story example in healthcare that you can view here. Find out how Lily Angelocci helped save $4 million dollars for UCSD, which will help this nonprofit fund more programs for students and make a difference in healthcare.

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How would safety projects and accident avoidance be calculated in savings?

• Tracy O'Rourke

I would first discuss with your finance person or operations person to get a sense of the different factors that are important to your industry. Ultimately there can be both hard and soft dollar savings here. The hard dollar savings may be less injuries, and less $$ spent on employee injuries, missed workdays and disability…

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What are some specific examples of Hard Dollar savings in service industries rather than manufacturing based?

• Tracy O'Rourke

Almost all of the examples listed under hard dollar savings can be applied to a service environment. What was mentioned in the webinar: Equipment or capital reduction – office space or office equipment – if you streamline processes and don’t just throw people at the problem, then you may not need to lease bigger offices…

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In terms of deciding whether to use PDCA or DMAIC, which is preferred and in what situation?

• Elisabeth Swan

I was wondering if you or one of the black belts could provide insight as to which process improvement framework is better, Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) or DMAIC? Maybe there is a time to use one over the other but I was looking to see if there was any guidance on which is preferred…

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How can I begin to change people’s mentality to accept a new project?

• Elisabeth Swan

It’s harder when you take on the job of trying to change others, it’s easier when you invite them to become part of the process. Find ways to include people. Ask their opinion on the sources of issues. Ask what issues they see in the process. Engagement happens more often when people feel a sense…

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What if the team comes into “analysis paralysis” mode and is “frozen” to make a decision – Any tips to get past that?

• Elisabeth Swan

If a team is stuck, it’s good to mix up the method. When discussions don’t seem to be going anywhere, try using a kinesthetic method like Multi-voting (n/3) to get people off their seat, up at a flip chart and using sticky dots or markers to vote. Another great method involving movement is “Fist-to-Five” which…

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In terms of using the Impact Effort Matrix, how could you prevent team members from disagreeing on the impact/effort of a particular option? 

• Elisabeth Swan

For a group with strong personalities you may want to shift to a defined scale. That’s more work since you’ve got to get some data to understand the Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) in terms of resources or the potential dollar savings. That ought to help!

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Are we able to count webinars as a PDU?

• GoLeanSixSigma.com

Are we able to count webinars as a PDU? If so, do you know what category we report it as? One (1) PDU is available per webinar. PMI PDU Certificates can be emailed to you for $35. All webinars will be under the Technical category unless they are a Leadership webinar, in which case they’ll…

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