Tsana Associates

What is Six Sigma about?

Six-Sigma is an organisational strategy that engages everyone in the reduction of defects through the use of powerful methods and the creation of an infrastructure of expertise. Simply put, it is the achievement of Business Improvement through the application of Statistical Methods. It is as appropriate in the transactional and service environment as it is in manufacturing.

It is underpinned by three key fundamental principles:

All work occurs in a system of interconnected and interdependent processes. Variation exists in all processes. Understanding and reducing variation are the keys to success. An important feature of 6 sigma includes the appointment of full and part-time practitioners - "Black and Green Belts" - whose role it is to reduce the defects in the organisational processes through 6 sigma projects. These people are trained in the application of rigorous statistical methods.

Our Approach

We at Tsana Associates heard from a number of our long-standing clients of the shortcomings of the standard 6 sigma approach and which could lead, unfortunately, to it being classed as yet another failed management fad in spite of its obvious strengths.

Our response to this is to offer our clients an approach which incorporates the strengths of 6 sigma, eliminates the flaws and weaknesses and includes important new content which is missing from the standard programme. In addition to the benefits that are general to Six-Sigma, the Tsana approach brings these additional strengths:

A Six-Sigma approach that is designed to meet the specific needs of the organisation and its parts - not "one size fits all"! The curriculum for statistical training is designed for those who need it and will be able to apply it. Statistical training is founded in the philosophies and methods of Deming, Shewhart and Wheeler and is completely practical in all areas. Customers that are not only satisfied but who are delighted stay with you, remain loyal and bring friends and colleagues for more business. The pursuit of perfection is the goal - not just meeting the specification and the reduction of defects. Leadership must and will be trained, coached and supported. This is the key prerequisite for long-term success.

Wisdom and knowledge underpins training - not just "following a recipe". This includes the use of DMAIC methodology for improvement - Tsana emphasises the concept of PDSA - and this is fully incorporated in the 6-Sigma variant of the Tsana Workshop.

Although Black Belts are the central team of expertise, we believe that everyone should take part. There is a need to avoid elitism and ensure that everyone on the company can be involved and contribute to its transformation. We do not advocate "sheep-dip" training but encourage a "just-in-time" approach, as people can be involved with the developing programme. The 6-Sigma variant of the Tsana Workshop is the ideal vehicle for giving your people an exciting as well as a straightforward methodology and toolset for engaging in your organisational version of 6-Sigma.