Six Sigma Process Improvement and Simulation

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects in any process – from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.

The central idea behind Six Sigma is that if you can measure where 'defects' (anything that results in customer dissatisfaction) occur in a process, you can systematically understand how to eliminate them and, through a process of continuous improvement, get as close to zero defects as possible.

Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality of the output of a process by minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes. It uses a set of quality management methods, mainly empirical, statistical methods, and creates a special infrastructure of people within the organization who are experts in these methods e.g. Six Sigma Black Belt.

Each Six Sigma project an organization undertakes will follow a defined sequence of steps and has specific value targets, for example to reduce cycle time, decrease costs, improve customer satisfaction, and increase profit.

Six Sigma is divided into two methodologies, DMAIC and DFSS:

• DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) focuses on improving existing processes and performance
• Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) focuses on generating new processes, products, and services to meet customer needs (CTQ) at the Six Sigma level

For a more powerful study and insightful results than static analysis or a mathematical equation, process improvers utilize discrete event simulation (DES).

The statistical rigor available through valid, verifiable simulation and the synergy and capability of simulation software is an ideal fit with both DMAIC and DFSS methodologies.

For example, simulation allows users to compare defects in a Six Sigma analysis process, and even predict Six Sigma tolerances. Simulation is also capable of measuring financial, operational and customer satisfaction indicators in the same analysis.

The dynamic analysis capability of discrete event simulation tools, like SIMUL8, can capture the stochastic behavior of any system. SIMUL8 provides the basic entities and logic to create realistic simulations of any process or manufacturing facility. These core building blocks within SIMUL8 are known as: Start Point, Queue, Activity, Conveyor, Resource, and End Point.

These 6 core building blocks, combined with attributes (Labels) and Logic (Visual Logic) are all that is required for simulating even the most complex of systems. The significant aspects of parts traversing through a facility utilizing machines, resources and material handling systems can all be captured using SIMUL8’s diverse results functionality.

Turning static data into a dynamic simulation can help you find the answers to your ‘what-if’ scenarios in the planning stage so you can be confident that you are implementing the right process first time.