I need to consider the relative benefits, and potential pitfalls, of using Six Sigma techniques to control and measure a complex business transformation project. The PM team is a small group, although highly focused and capable. Is Six Sigma an appropriate approach? Saving Changes...
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Anonymous
No, it's not. Use a straightforward approach to developing your high level business requirements, critical success factors, communications plan, and roles/resposnibility/authority form, then develop the WBS, scope documents at a detailed level aligned to the WBS, estimate them, and then build a schedule to lay out the estimated work. This is called a project management baseline. Don't let anybody tell you that highly statistics oriented Six Sigma is a substitute for appropriate, adequate and effective planning, managing and controlling of projects. Six Sigma is focused on customers, and the zero defect approach typically through manufacturing, but can go elsewhere. be wary of consultants who tell you otherwise. I've been in PM for 20 years, and now know SS. Be a good Project Manager, and get help related to project management if you need it. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I agree Six Sigma is not a project methodology but it does have some excellent tools which can be used to support the tasks which need to be completed during a typically project lifecyle. For example, when gathering business requirements one of the Six Sigma tools which can be used is the QFD(Quality Functional Deployment) tool. This tool is used to build the customers requirements in order of priority. I found that this completly removes any ambiguity from the build of the product of the project.
What I also like from using some of the Quality tools is that there is a real focus on what the customers want. Typically in IT (I have been gulity of this in the past also) we tend to build what we want the customer to want rather than was is actually required.
So to summaries - No Six Sigma is not a methodology for running IT projects but there are some very useful tools which can be integrated into a standard project lifecycle which are very effective and ensuring the customers needs are being met. Saving Changes...
