Over the past decade, many organizations have embraced Six Sigma as a powerful approach for identifying and fixing operational weaknesses.  There is little doubt that the methodology provides a proven tool set for problem-solving that continues to enjoy popularity because it is tested, practical and not overly complex.  Yet like so many enterprise-wide strategic initiatives, the results don’t always live up to the promise.  Simply put, Six Sigma is susceptible to the same barriers that all major initiatives face, unless it is married with a structured implementation process.

The Missing Link

Since Six Sigma initiatives typically enjoy strong board room support, what is the missing link?  Why is Six Sigma so often a victim of the same implementation barriers that cause 70% of all major change efforts to produce sub-optimized results—no sustained executive commitment, no leadership alignment, resistance to change, poor communications, no reinforcement, and so on.

The answer lies partially in the fact that the Six Sigma methodology lacks robust tools when it comes to implementation.  More problematic is that absent a structured implementation approach, the probability of a deployment being on time, on budget, and to specification, is very low. The end result: good solutions remain on the shelf, or the cycle time to get to adoption is very long.

The Value of AIM

By applying the Accelerating Implementation Methodology (AIM) in conjunction with Six Sigma, IMA clients are realizing much improved results.  As an AIM champion and Master Black Belt recently stated, “We are seeing greatly improved cycle times.  What we have learned is that we were not spending nearly enough time on generating sponsorship.  We really needed a good deal more effort.” 

The ten steps of AIM serve as a deployment structure, with each step addressing a likely deployment barrier.  For example:

• Define the Change- do you want to “do” Six Sigma, or do you want to “be” Six Sigma
• Assess the Climate- does your implementation history suggest a quality-hostile or quality friendly environment?
• Generate Sponsorship- are you deploying a purposeful approach to gaining and sustaining widespread and aligned leadership commitment
• Develop Target Readiness- have you developed a strategy to effectively manage the inevitable resistance to chance at all levels of the organization
• Create Cultural Fit- does your culture value and reward problem solving to the point that it resists problem prevention

Without a structured framework like AIM, many of the Six Sigma benefits will never be fully realized, and the deployment challenge will remain excruciatingly difficult and complex.  As hard as it may be to change strategy, structure, operations and technology, it is far more difficult to make the requisite changes in human and cultural expectations, perceptions, behaviors, and skills. 

If you have a Six Sigma function within your organization, educate your black belts in the AIM principles.  The investment will pay off in shorter cycle times, greater efficiency, and a far greater likelihood of delivering on the Six Sigma promise.

For more information on how AIM can enhance Six Sigma, contact Paula Alsher, Vice President, Client Solutions at 866-996-7788 or 770-618-7495, or by email at paula.alsher@imaworldwide.com.