Description

In the final stages of the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology, once process improvement opportunities are identified and implemented, teams need to control the improved processes in order to sustain improvement gains. Process control includes applying tools to continuously monitor and maintain each improved process, and to prevent it from reverting to its previous state. This course introduces basic nonstatistical control tools as well as tools for maintaining control so that process improvement initiatives continue as they were intended. Specifically, it explores how total productive maintenance (TPM) promotes shared responsibility for maintaining process gains, and how the visual factory provides at-a-glance information about process status, targets, and performance. In addition, this course highlights the need to re-analyze the measurement system after completing an improvement project, and provides guidelines for drawing conclusions from the re-analysis. It tours the key elements of a vital tool for maintaining controls – the control plan – and explores the steps for developing an effective plan. This course is aligned with the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt certification exam and is designed to assist learners as part of their exam preparation. It builds on foundational knowledge that is taught in Algeo’s ASQ-aligned Green Belt curriculum.