Features

A common metric used in any Lean manufacturing initiative, OEE is often seen simply as a performance metric. However, used properly it can be a vital part of maximising capacity and significantly decrease downtime.

Posted: 08 Dec 2009

Several common myths about Six Sigma are often cited as fact, and some realities that are often overlooked. This article describes why Six Sigma is not a management fad or fantasy...

Posted: 15 Aug 2008

In the early 80s, under intense pressure from Japanese competitors, Xerox began a 'Leadership through Quality' programme aimed to increase competitiveness by reducing costs, raising quality and benchmarking for best practice.

Posted: 06 May 2008

As one year ends and another begins, its time to look back at the news, events, debates and topics that took place over the last twelve months, from Nardelli to Blitz Sigma.

Posted: 07 Jan 2008

By its very nature, Six Sigma is not infallible, and therefore must evolve. Here is an academic view on the good and bad parts of Six Sigma, and where its future lies.

Posted: 07 Jan 2008

Quality Management has been instrumental role in building the competitiveness of the developing economies of the new EU member states. By introducing measurable, international standards for improving all aspects of business performance, quality standards have provided the perfect tool for building business competence, confidence and performance.

Posted: 16 May 2007

Total Quality Management (TQM) and continuous improvement are fast becoming important issues in both the private and public sectors. Organizations that passed up many of the previous management fads are now turning to TQM with much fervour.

Posted: 12 Feb 2007

At the graduation ceremony for our first group of Six Sigma Guides, which you may call Black Belts, I read the entire poem, The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost. I read it because I believe that a health care organisation embarking on a Six Sigma journey is taking a road less traveled by, and we at Mount Carmel Health Systems have decided to take that road. We think Six Sigma already has made, and will continue to make a significant qualitative and quantitative difference in health care in our organisation. I’m going to share with you our two-year infusion of Six Sigma into the life of Mount Carmel Health Systems.

Posted: 01 Oct 2006

Six Sigma is widely known as toolset for quality improvement and combined with the principles of Lean forms a formidable manufacturing philosophy. Lean Sigma, unlike Six sigma, looks to improve the entire value stream. As such it is a continuous improvement culture that is not limited in scope to a particular waste. Practitioners are free to 'roam' the company, from the suppliers to the customer implementing all the techniques described herein to the maximum benefit of the company.

Posted: 01 Oct 2006