Some useful methodologies and tools

“Six-sigma” methodology

  • Promotes an organization-wide methodology to reduce process variation and drive improvement
  • Aim is to drive process capability toward six standard deviations (“6σ”) between the mean and the nearest specification limit

5S methodology

  • Can be an important starting point to provide a neat and organized workplace
  • Seiri – “Sort, Systematize or simplify”
  • Seiton – “Straighten, standardize”
  • Seiso – “Shine”
  • Seiketsu – “Sanitize”
  • Shitsuke – “Sustain” 

“Lean” initiatives

  • Also known as TPS (Toyota Production System)
  • Aimed at eliminating non-value-adding activities from processes.
  • Originally developed for manufacturing, but also applicable to services
  • Can be combined with “6σ”; sometimes known as “lean six-sigma”

Total Productive Maintenance

  • Builds on 5S methodology
  • Concept is that “Each person looks after their own equipment”
  • Can reduce costs by using “predictive maintenance”

Business Excellence models

  • Often associated with Quality Award Schemes
  • Organizations can use the marking criteria to drive improvement
  • Examples include EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) and US MBNQA (Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award)

SWOT analysis

  • Systematic method for identification and analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
  • Can be used in Strategic Planning