Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Customer Needs Are Heard With Six Sigma

By Craig Calviln

When identifying the scope oF an internal process project, its imperative that the implementation of the performance improvements do not interfere with fulfilling the external customers requirements. Six Sigma training offers tools to measure the needs and expectations of the customer for both products and services to assure that customers expectations are being met during the process realignment of the company.

Voice of the customer tools, VOC, guarantees that the improvement of business processes actually reflects the customer needs. The customer needs are a top priority, and the definition of what improvements need to be made will directly impact customer satisfaction. VOC can not be based on what was perceived to be customers need in the past. The success of the Six Sigma program focuses on problems newly identified by gathering of new data mined from customer comments, surveys and complaints. Once collected, the data is translated into statement form, with a defined plan as to how to measure success.

As the company works to identify areas where expectations of the customer and the expectations of the business are not in alignment by comparing the VOC to the VOP, voice of the process, its important to keep priorities in order. Six Sigma certification is all about keeping the customer satisfied by controlling the process. The Six Sigma program focuses on the measurement and elimination of defects. Often a defect in the VOC will not affect the VOP, but should be addressed anyway. Compliance with each specification makes the process stronger, leading to success. Adherence to the formula of effectiveness and efficiency equal profitability.

The Six Sigma training incorparates defining problems in the processes, measuring the customer satisfaction and analyzing any root causes of dissatisfaction. Then improvements are implemented and controlled. If there is a gap between what the customer has asked for and the ability of the deliver, then the requirements mean nothing. Likewise, if a product is delivered which is not up to the customer's standards, then the customer is likely to go elsewhere for fulfillment. Any possibility to negotiate a positive resolution should be considered.

Customer needs and requirements can change quickly, causing significant variations to increase. It is important that this fact not be ignored in order to avoid any long term problems. By anticipating customer requirements, the process can be proactively changed in order to maintain the processes as desired. The success of the Six Sigma implementation is dependent on an ongoing review of the customer satisfaction requirements. - 14915

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