Designing Environmental Sustainability Programs using Process Design for Six Sigma

Environmental Sustainability is in the best interest of the Global Economy and Global Corporate Citizenship.  More and more companies are global in nature especially when you consider their supply chains and the total life cycle of their goods and services.  Environmental consciousness is increasing in importance and a key for competing in the global economy.

Customizing your company’s approach to defining and applying environmental best practices requires a systematic approach for process design.  Process Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) follows a five phased approach, namely Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Validate (DMADV).

The Define Phase is the Development Project Definition.  In this phase the scope, or depth and breadth, of the Environmental Sustainability Program is defined.  Here is where the resources are committed to the project, the project is planned, and the review points with specific deliverables are defined.

The Measure Phase is Requirements Definition.  In this phase the Voice of the Customer (VOC) is captured which in turn is translated in the requirements for the Environmental Sustainability Program.  The VOC comprises your suppliers, your company, your customers, and the countries where you conduct business.  This comprehensive view of the VOC requirements drives the right sizing of the program.  A Functional Model of what Environmental Sustainability has to accomplish and provide is aligned and prioritized using the VOC.  At this stage requirements are fully defined
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The Analyze Phase is better described as the Conceptual Design.  What must be accomplished to meet the VOC has been documented with the prioritized functional model.  To meet the functional requirements processes are designed at the conceptual level using the SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process Steps, Outputs, and Customers) Process Mapping method.  In this method only five process steps are addressed which keeps the maps at a high level.  Information System requirements are defined to support each SIPOC Process that has been designed.  Performance Metrics are also defined.  Estimates of cycle frequency, cycle time, and staffing for each SIPOC all also determined.  Organizational requirements are conceptualized as well.

The Design Phase is Detailed Design.  The conceptual designs are now converted into detailed process maps.  This is the future state design of the Environmental Sustainability Program’s processes for execution.  Pilot testing takes place at this stage along with finalizing organizational requirements.  Work instructions, procedures, and policies are documented for efficient execution of the processes that will drive the Environmental Sustainability Program.

The Validate Phase is the final phase of DMADV.  In this phase the new processes go through final testing and debugging of support systems, validation of performance metrics, and implementation on a full scale.

Process Design for Six Sigma is the structured approach for any organization to determine just what Environmental Sustainability means for them.  Process DFSS guides the development of the processes that will meet your Environmental Sustainability goals and objectives.

Process Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)

Designing a new process, or dramatically improving an existing one, is handled best by following a structured process. Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) has a five phase development process with the DMADV acronym. This acronym stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Validate, but what does it actually mean with regard to a development project?

The Define Phase is best described as the Development Project Definition. Where the keys to success are:

• Development Project Charter


• Business Case


• Deliverables based Project Plan with defined gate review requirements


• Risk management plan based upon FMEA results


• Organizational change management plan

The Measure Phase is best described as the Requirements Definition. Where the keys to success are:

• Voice of the Customer Requirements that include internal and external customers and suppliers to the process


• Functional requirements for the process to mitigate risks


• QFD analysis to prioritize VOC requirements and Functional Requirements


• Staffing skill sets based upon functional requirements


• Defined performance metrics (KPMs) and tracking requirements for the process

The Analyze Phase is best described as the Conceptual Design. Where the keys to success are:

• Detailed descriptions of the processes needed to satisfy prioritized functional requirements


• SIPOC process maps for each of the processes and IT supporting systems


• Roles, responsibilities, and staffing requirements to execute the processes


• Evaluation of process design’s capability to meet KPMs and VOC requirements

The Design Phase is best described as the Detailed Design. Where the keys to success are:

• QFD analysis of Functional Requirements versus Process Components and Systems


• Detailed future state deployment (swim lane) process maps


• Management and Control Plans


• Job descriptions for required staffing


• Pilot test plans for processes and IT supporting systems

The Validate Phase is best described as Test, Validate, and Implement. Where the keys to success are:

• Develop policies, procedures, and work instructions to execute all future state processes
  
• Pilot test future state processes with the policies, procedures, and work instructions
  
• Train process personnel and implement the future state processes on a full scale
  
• Implement the Management and Control Plans
  

Process Design for Six Sigma requires collaboration among the process stakeholders. Often being face to face for the collaborative meetings is not possible from a logistics, or cost standpoint, which is where on-line Webinars provide the solution.

At EducateVirtually.com we provide the facilitation and coaching required for extremely productive Webinars that accelerate the DFSS process. We have found that communication is enhanced and documentation is more complete using internet based meetings. New processes have been developed and implemented in as little as 12 weeks starting from a clean sheet of paper.

For additional information, or to contact us visit EducateVirtually.com