AIT's Six Sigma Logistics Approach provides Enhanced Service, Productivity
Six Sigma and AIT Worldwide Logistics both made their business-world debut in 1979. More than 40 years later, the customer-focused principles of the break-through process-improvement practice still drive continuous improvement initiatives at many of the world’s top organizations— including AIT.
Read on to learn more about Six Sigma, including how it helps AIT delight our customers and deliver quality.
What is Six Sigma?
First introduced to the business world at Motorola, Six Sigma is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement. A disciplined, data-driven approach for eliminating defects in any process, Six Sigma rose in popularity after major corporations like General Electric made it a major part of their business strategies in the 80s and 90s.
Six Sigma projects typically follow one of two five-phase methodologies: DMAIC and DMADV. The acronyms are similar, and both are designed to increase efficiency and effectiveness. However, the two methodologies are not identical.
The five phases of DMAIC project methodology include:
- Define the system, project goals and customer requirements
- Measure and collect relevant data
- Analyze the data for the root cause of the issue
- Improve or optimize the current process based upon data analysis. Run pilot programs and develop a standard of work to create a new, future-state process.
- Control the future-state process via systems, such as statistical process control, production boards and visual workplaces. Repeat and monitor the process until the desired quality level is obtained.
The five phases of DMADV project methodology are:
- Define design goals consistent with customer demands and organizational strategy
- Measure and identify characteristics critical to quality (CTQs), product capabilities, production process capability and risks
- Analyze to develop and design alternatives
- Design an improved alternative, best suited per analysis in the previous step
- Verify the design, run pilot programs, implement the production process
For more detailed information on Six Sigma methodologies and their nuances, visit sixsigmadaily.com.
AIT’s comprehensive approach to quality assurance focuses on continuous improvement of existing processes, as well as new process design, both based on internal identification and external customer feedback. In addition to Six Sigma, our quality assurance strategy incorporates three major programs:
- Quality Management System (QMS)
- Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)
- Quality Satisfaction Index (QSI)
Experience the power of Six Sigma logistics
Want to ensure the highest level of care and attention all the way through your supply chain? Put AIT’s commitment to quality assurance and Six Sigma to work for your organization.