25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

SIX SIGMA SQUASHES INNOVATION – NOT!

25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

It’s funny how the connotation of a word can differ from its literal definition. Take innovation, for example. When you hear the term, you probably think of new, exciting and abstract concepts.

What comes to mind when someone mentions Six Sigma? Perhaps you think of standards, statistics and even strict guidelines set in stone.

The two terms almost seem to be at odds with each other, and there are certainly some who would argue they have no room to peacefully coexist. But before we choose sides, let’s take a look at the real definition of each word.

25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

Defining Innovation and Six Sigma

Merriam-Webster defines innovation as follows:

• The introduction of something new

• A new idea, method, or device

A quick search in the American Society for Quality Glossary pulls up this definition for Six Sigma:

• “A method that provides organizations tools to improve the capability of their business processes. This increase in performance and decrease in process variation lead to defect reduction and improvement in profits, employee morale, and quality of products or services.”

“25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

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25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

Here’s the bottom line: Six Sigma is designed to raise awareness about what we don’t know and create curiosity about how processes work. These are catalysts for innovation in product development, manufacturing and business.

Of course, an integral part of innovation is that good old fashioned curiosity. In light of that, it’s time to check out everything before the bottom line.

“25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

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25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

Six Sigma Studies and Responds to Market Changes

Meeting customer needs and expectations is a crucial part of Six Sigma. These expectations and visions of quality are always changing, and it can be hard to keep up.

Organizations that implement Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma principles are producing what they know customers want rather than what they think customers want. This distinction lies in the full understanding of CTCs (Critical-to-Customer) and CTQs (Critical-to-Quality).

Thus, diving into customer needs is the secret to staying a step ahead of market trends at all times (which is certainly innovative).

“25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

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25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

When organizations implement Six Sigma principles the right way, they open up the floor to constantly generating ideas and finding innovative ways to meet customer expectations.

Of course, it takes ingenious team leaders to foster that space for innovation and creativity. If tapping into your creative side sounds interesting, check out why Six Sigma Belts are always in high demand.

Team Leaders Provide the Space to Question and Create

Being stuck with inefficient processes and black-and-white thinking is an easy way to squash innovation. With Six Sigma, employees are encouraged to create new, fresh ways to tackle problems, instead of sticking with the old mantra, “This is the way we’ve always done it.”

“25 NW 23rd Pl, Suite 6 PMB 381 Portland, OR 97210Website: www.NWCPE.comPhone: +1 (503)-610-3166

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