Six Sigma:  Why Data Doesn't Matter

September 27, 2013

Abstract:  Many if not most redesign efforts are data driven.  We slice and dice the data in all sorts of ways and we apply a whole host of statistical wizardry in our six sigma efforts.  But in a redesign effort where we want to make a fundamental change in how we do things, data doesn’t matter!  Your process steps are the same regardless of how ‘out-of-whack’ your systems are.

People can get too focused on the wrong metrics.  We focus on one metric that’s too high or another that’s too low, then we reward our staff based on that metric.  Assuming our people aren’t stupid, in effect we’ve encouraged our managers to ‘game-the-system.’  Now we’ve made things worse.  In other cases, the data isn’t available.  This problem is quite common at smaller businesses, and if you are changing your metrics as part of your redesign effort, the data might not have been collected previously.  Before you can fix your problem, you need to understand it.  Whether you’re at 3 sigma, 4 sigma or 5 sigma, you’ll still examine the problem with a process map, a value stream map, a root cause analysis or some other graphical representation.  Then, and not until then, you will design the new system which will include the appropriate metrics.  Either way, your process redesign steps will be the same regardless of the data.