| In most IT companies, Six Sigma is being | | | | such as Black Belts who might employ FMEA, just |
| implemented in the core processes such as product | | | | have to try to discover the possibilities that can have |
| development and maintenance. Six Sigma helps by | | | | a negative impact on the product or process |
| eliminating errors during the product development | | | | undergoing development. |
| process, which in turn drastically reduces the | | | | After the identification process, the tool is used for |
| probability that the product will not find favor with | | | | classifying different problem areas into different |
| client needs and requirements. | | | | categories based on the level of threat posed by |
| Many IT companies that have successfully deployed | | | | each one of them. The overall threat level referred |
| Six Sigma are reaping the associated benefits that | | | | to as the 'Risk Priority Number' (RPN) is calculated by |
| come in the form of reduced product redevelopment | | | | considering all the various aspects such as those |
| costs and a drastic improvement in the customer | | | | mentioned below: |
| satisfaction levels and brand equity. | | | | =The probability that a problem will surface (referred |
| Six Sigma Tools and Techniques Employed By IT | | | | to as 'Occurrence') |
| Companies | | | | =The potential impact of a given problem (referred |
| IT companies utilize a wide variety of Six Sigma tools | | | | to as 'Severity') |
| and techniques, but if we were to name the most | | | | =The probability of finding an appropriate solution |
| commonly utilized tool, it would certainly be the | | | | (referred to as 'Detention) |
| Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Most IT | | | | The RPN helps because it allows Six Sigma |
| companies are employing this tool because it can be | | | | professionals to concentrate more on problem areas |
| used for the effective management of almost all the | | | | that might pose a major risk to the product |
| core IT processes such as new product | | | | development process. Potential problem areas thus |
| development, product redevelopment and | | | | get eliminated in the developmental stage itself, |
| enhancements and product maintenance. | | | | something that ensures the quality of the final |
| This tool works by identifying potential errors and | | | | product. |
| bugs that might surface when the product is finally | | | | Generally, the overall operational cost of IT |
| delivered to the client or end-user. This gives IT | | | | companies is less than that of manufacturing |
| companies enough time to take corrective action as | | | | companies, but since bugs and errors can easily |
| might be necessary for reducing the probability of | | | | escalate costs by forcing the company to invest in |
| bugs and errors. | | | | product redevelopment, it is necessary that IT |
| The Right Method of Using the FMEA Six Sigma Tool | | | | companies use this tool during the product |
| Although it appears a complex tool to use, FMEA in | | | | development process. It is only then will they be able |
| reality is not all that difficult to employ, because it | | | | to survive the intense competition and make new |
| requires users just to have a negative point of view | | | | inroads into the future. |
| about things in general. So, Six Sigma professionals | | | | |