Six Sigma Projects in Small Business- A Worthy Endeavor or Big Boys Only?

By Craig Calvin

When a business commits to starting a Six Sigma project, it is a commitment of time, money and resources. Depending on the size of the project, the size of this comment may vary. Here are some steps you can take to see if Six Sigma is right for your small business.

The first thing you should do when you are considering starting a Six Sigma project is to try to identify where the problem is, and try to estimate how much you think it would cost to fix the problem. You should also try to estimate how long it would take to fix the problem. A Six Sigma project may not be the quickest or cheapest solution, and if you do not have the time then you may be better off with a Lean Six Sigma project, or not using Six Sigma at all.

So, can small businesses benefit from Six Sigma Projects? Yes, they can, but only with the right planning, preparation, and execution. Wait a minute, though. This doesn't only apply to small businesses. The principles of Six Sigma and how to effectively use it can apply to any business of any size, regardless of how big or little the problem might be. In the end, if it is affecting profits or customer satisfaction, it's always a big problem even when it is minor.

If you do not think your business is ready for a Six Sigma Project, then there are other things you can do to prepare for a Six Sigma Project. You can provide additional Six Sigma training for you and your staff, if it is necessary, which will help everyone be better prepared for a Six Sigma Project.

Larger organizations face turf battles and fears of change within the hierarchy of their businesses, but this is something that smaller organizations won't have as much of a problem with. This just shows that Six Sigma Projects can be good for smaller businesses, and actually might prove to be more advantageous than they are for large organizations depending on how well they are planned and executed. If you think this is the right choice, give it a shot. With a little know-how it can be a great solution. - 32538

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