{"id":39036,"date":"2022-05-16T11:00:06","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/?p=39036"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:39:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:39:23","slug":"six-sigma-a-simple-guide-for-project-managers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/blog\/six-sigma-a-simple-guide-for-project-managers","title":{"rendered":"Six Sigma in Project Management: A Quick Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been around for three decades, but Six Sigma can still be somewhat of an enigma.<\/span> This methodology can mean different things within various organizations or circumstances, but there’s a way to broadly outline this business process improvement methodology and define its beginnings, rise, use and implementation.<\/p>\n

There has been some backlash against Six Sigma in recent years, some of which is warranted and will be discussed, but the process as a whole proves a valuable tool in reducing defects in product manufacturing, especially when paired with agile thinking, lean manufacturing<\/a> and capable project management tools.<\/p>\n

What Is Six Sigma?<\/h2>\n

To start, let\u2019s define the term Six Sigma. As noted, it\u2019s a methodology used to improve the output quality in a process. It does this by first identifying, and then removing, the causes of defects. This is achieved via a set of quality management methods that feature both empirical and statistical approaches. A staff member with Six Sigma expertise is also usually hired to monitor the process.<\/p>\n

Six Sigma was first introduced by Motorola engineer Bill Smith in 1986 when it was registered as a trademark. But it was 10 years later when Jack Welch made it central to his business strategy at General Electric that it became popular in the broader business world.<\/p>\n

Project management software is used for approval and review of project performance in accordance with Six Sigma practices. ProjectManager<\/a> is project management software that offers multiple project views with one view particularly ideal for Six Sigma; the board view. The kanban board allows managers to visualize the workflow of their teams and is ideal for workflow automation and task approvals. This allows teams to review and approve only those deliverables that meet their quality standards. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.<\/p>\n

\"ProjectManager's<\/a>
ProjectManager’s workflow automation and task approval let you review and approve work. Learn more. <\/strong><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

History<\/h2>\n

While Six Sigma might have been trademarked in the 1980s, its history stretches much farther back. The concept was introduced, though under another name, as the normal curve by Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855). It further developed in product variation in the 1920s when Walter Shewhart showed that the three-sigma process needed correction. Engineer Bill Smith ultimately trademarked Six Sigma and it was this development that lead to Motorola documenting over $16 billion in savings.<\/p>\n

Since the 1980s, the use of Six Sigma has been adopted by companies across the globe and it’s evolved into more than a quality system but a way of doing business. It has been described as a vision, philosophy, symbol, metric, goal, methodology and more.<\/p>\n

Six Sigma Methodologies<\/h2>\n

For our purposes, let\u2019s look at Six Sigma as a methodology. Six Sigma methodology is used to improve business practices with statistical data and analysis in order to make better decisions based on facts rather than best guesses. This is done by controlling variation and understanding what causes them.<\/a><\/p>\n

Processes are then made more predictable and, therefore, profitable for businesses. The six sigma methodology is not just a training session but an approach that is founded on data and targeting projects with quantifiable business outcomes. This approach has shown itself to be valid as it has been implemented across many industries that have documented savings and customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n

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Get your free<\/p>\n

Project Charter Template<\/h3>\n

\n\tUse this free Project Charter Template to manage your projects better.<\/p>\n\tGet the Template<\/a>\n<\/div> \n\n

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DMAIC Methodology<\/h3>\n

The core tool of the Six Sigma approach is the DMAIC roadmap, a more scientific method for project development. It\u2019s a flexible, formalized problem-solving process that includes the following five steps:<\/p>\n

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  1. Define: <\/strong>This step is used to figure out the business problem, what the goal is, the potential resources, the project scope and the timeline for completion. This is often detailed in the project charter<\/a>, where what you know about the project is collected and any facts related to the work are defined, objectives are set and the project team is established.<\/li>\n
  2. Measure:<\/strong> You’ll now want to establish a baseline to have something to measure against when you\u2019re improving processes. This is where you collect the data to put the work in context. The team will then make the determination on what will be measured and how. The better the data, the better this system performs.<\/li>\n
  3. Analyze:<\/strong> Next comes identifying what’s preventing the progress of the process so it can be eliminated. Again, you\u2019ll use a data collection plan until you discover the root causes of the problem. This process involves complex analytical tools, some of which include: listing and prioritizing potential causes of the problem, prioritizing root causes to improve steps, identifying how process inputs impact process outputs and creating detailed process maps.<\/li>\n
  4. Improve:<\/strong> Test and implement solutions to the identified problems using creative solutions to eliminate root causes and prevent them from coming up again. This is done with various brainstorming techniques<\/a> and other problem-solving methods. It\u2019s suggested that focusing on the simplest and easiest solution is best. Test those solutions, and figure out what risks are inherent. Then create an implementation plan, and execute improvements. A\u00a0SIPOC diagram<\/a>\u00a0is often used in Six Sigma in order to perform this step.<\/li>\n
  5. Control:<\/strong> To ensure that these improvements are sustainable, monitor them by creating a control plan. Be sure to update that plan as needed. You can develop a control chart to assess the stability of the improvements as the project moves forward.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"dashboard<\/a>
    Control and monitor improvements with live dashboards in ProjectManager. Try it free.<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    There\u2019s a silent R that some organizations add to the DMAIC, which stands for Recognize. This is a matter of priority, meaning that the team recognizes the right problem to focus on at the right time.<\/p>\n

    These DMAIC steps should act as a loop in that you need to repeat them and apply the changes to other processes in the project. Share the results with everyone on the project and even outside the organization to develop a network of support. It\u2019s also smart to thank participants to maintain good morale regarding thorough and difficult work.<\/p>\n

    DMADV Methodology<\/h3>\n

    A variation on DMAIC is the DMADV methodology. Though lesser-known, it’s an ideal methodology for the new product design process. Like the DMAIC, it shares the first three steps, though defines them in slightly different terms.<\/p>\n