Six Sigma at 3m, Inc.

Operation Management: Case Analysis: Six Sigma at 3M, Inc. |

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Question No.1:

Case Analysis - Six Sigma at 3M, Inc.

1. What will be the benefits, costs, and risks of the Six Sigma program, and how they will be tracked and reported?

Six Sigma program could be defined by benefits, costs and risks.

For the organization, the Benefits of Six Sigma will be:

* Low cost savings

* Analyzing data for making assessment

* Product or service’s quality improvement by the customers’ requirement

* Practical supply chain management

* Increase stabilization and improvements

* Saving process cycle time and wasting less

* Skillful staffs and vocational training

In the individual level, it will be different, such as:

* Vocational training and professionalization of individuals

* Proper knowledge of technology utilization

* Internationally recognized reputation, which met international standard of skill

We can see the real success of Six Sigma, which is initiated and implemented at the 3M and resulted positive impact on the company. The customers, employees and shareholders have definitely benefited to this success.

Costs: Process cost involves more people, while implementing the Six Sigma program. To implement the project properly, there should be specialized team with high skills or should improve existing employee’s ability. The team member selection, which impacts on cost of employing and capacity building, is essential. Although, this cost should be carefully considered in terms of saving extra cost of consulting and timing by the 3M.

Risks: As well, risk should be reduced in order to escape of failing project in Six Sigma program implementation. Due to keep its success, companies exercise some sufficient actions of avoiding risks along with Six Sigma program.

There are some steps to avoid risk, such as right selection of...