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The Champion's Role In Successful Six Sigma Deployments

By: Tony Jacowski

There are various factors that should be in place to ensure that a project is successful. For a project to succeed it has to be well-aligned with the business plan and the Black Belts should be adequately trained - along with the commitment of senior management and a connected Champion.

The champion is generally a person in a senior position like a senior manager or someone else who has the Six Sigma vision. They are in a position to resolve any issues that arise between the Black Belts and any other person in a higher position in the company.

The Champions act like buffers in any disagreements between the Black Belts and senior management. The Black Belts can then concentrate on their project area rather than be involved in disputes.

The deployment Champion has a support function within a line of business, customer segment or a core process team.

Business Interface

The Champions should be familiar with the technology being used in the various processes under consideration by the Black Belts for the project. They should avoid impeding into the processes and offering solutions. They have to ensure that the Six Sigma projects are aligned with the strategic business objectives.

Project reviews should be conducted to ensure that the project is moving along according to the plan, and that the results achieved as per the needs of the organization. From this, the Champion can also identify other areas for improvement.

Companies should use the Balance Score Card to apply metrics and measure the performance of the Champions.

Six Sigma Project Selection

Six Sigma project selection is an important function of the Champions. They should take it as an opportunity to improve the process. In project selection, again the key concern should be the alignment of the process to the objectives of the organization.

Six Sigma Pace Mediation

The Six Sigma Champions have to take the responsibility of pacing the deployment of the project. Sometimes, the Six Sigma provider or the internal experts who are responsible for the deployment tend to see completion of the project as the only metric of success. When a plan is made it should have goals, targeted at increasing the customer satisfaction.

Metrics should be set to decide on adjusting the project plans. The Champion should carry out thorough reviews of the project at various phases and provide appropriate support.

Otherwise, the Champion should allow the Black Belts to carry out the Six Sigma project and not redirect them unnecessarily.

Results Implementation

The Champion should not consider the Black Belts to be the only change agents; rather, the Champion should be the leader of change. If those in senior management believe in the change, then there will be quicker acceptability of the change.

Six Sigma Training

Training and assembling the right people to carry out a viable and fruitful Six Sigma project is the responsibility of the Champion. They Champion has to do it with determination, patience and conviction. They should also make the project fun to work on and ensure that the team doesn't lose interest in the project until its completion.

The Champion is responsible for overall alignment of the Six Sigma project with the goals and objectives of the organization, facilitating the identification and prioritizing of the projects, establish the training plan, planning a communication strategy and removing barriers for the teams.

About Tony Jacowski
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for six sigma professionals including, lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

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