Keeping You Safe Since 1970

1-888-326-9244

Favorites

Contact

Graphic Products
  • My Account
    No Account? Sign up
    Forgot password?
  • Cart ()
  • Printers & Supplies Printers
    Toro Max

    Toro Max

    NEW! portable all-in-one
    • Learn More
    • Toro Max Supplies
    Bronco Max

    Bronco Max

    NEW! reliable workhorse
    • Learn More
    • Bronco Max Supplies
    DuraLabel Kodiak

    DuraLabel Kodiak

    Multi-color, large format
    • Learn More
    • Kodiak Supplies
    DuraLabel Lobo

    DuraLabel Lobo

    Grab n' go labeler
    • Learn More
    • Lobo Supplies
    DuraLabel Toro

    DURALABEL TORO

    Mobile, stand-alone
    • Support
    • Toro Supplies
    DuraLabel Bronco

    DuraLabel Bronco

    Industrial, efficient
    • Support
    • Bronco Supplies
    DuraLabel Pro Series

    DuraLabel PRO 300

    Simple and reliable
    • Learn More
    • Pro Series Supplies
    Legacy Printers

    Legacy Printers

    Support and Supplies
    • Learn More
    • Shop All Supplies

    Quick Links

    All Printers

    Printer Kits

    Printer Supplies

    Printer Ribbons

    Accessories

    Printer Support

    Labeling Software

  • Safety Signs

    Compliance Signs

    • Chemical Signage
    • Confined Space Signs
    • Electrical Hazard Signs
    • Fire Signage
    • PPE Safety Signs
    • All Compliance Signs

    Facility Signs

    • Restricted Area Signs
    • Smoking Signs
    • Machinery Signs
    • Bathroom Signs
    • Clearance Signs
    • All Facility Signs

    Traffic Signs

    • Directional Signs
    • Exit Signs
    • Forklift Signs
    • Emergency Signs
    • All Traffic Signs

    Floor Signs

    • Blank Floor Signs
    • Exit Floor Signs
    • Fire Safety Floor Signs
    • First Aid Floor Signs
    • LOTO Floor Signs
    • All Floor Signs

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon EHS Manager's Guide
    PDF Icon OSHA Safety Signs Guide
    PDF Icon Labeling Your Facility for Safety
    PDF Icon Safety Labels vs. Signs
    SEE MORE
    Signs and Labels Banner
  • Floor Tape

    Floor Tape

    • 5S Floor Tape
    • Aisle Tape
    • Glow in the Dark Tape
    • Reflective Tape
    • Anti-Slip Tape
    • All Floor Tape

    Floor Signs

    • Blank Floor Signs
    • Exit Floor Signs
    • Fire Safety Floor Signs
    • First Aid Floor Signs
    • LOTO Floor Signs
    • All Floor Signs

    Floor Marking Shapes

    • Floor Marking Corners
    • Floor Marking T's
    • Floor Marking Footprints
    • Floor Marking Circles
    • Floor Marking Arrows
    • All Floor Marking Shapes

    Other

    • Discount Bundles
    • Floor Marking Accessories
    • Floor Laminate

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon Floor Marking Best Practices
    PDF Icon Floor Marking Color Chart
    PDF Icon What is Floor Marking?
    PDF Icon Floor Tape vs. Paint
    SEE MORE
    Floor Marking Banner
  • Pipe Markers

    Shop By Standard

    • ANSI A13.1 Pipe Markers
    • Ammonia (IIAR) Pipe Markers
    • Medical (NFPA 99) Pipe Markers
    • Marine (ISO 14726) Pipe Markers
    • European Pipe Markers
    • All Pipe Markers

    ANSI Pipe Markers

    • Fire Quenching
    • Flammable/Oxidizing
    • Toxic or Corrosive
    • Compressed Air
    • Various Water
    • All ANSI Pipe Markers

    Other

    • Pipe Marking Accessories
    • Valve Tags
    • Arrow Banding Tape

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon Pipe Marking Best Practices
    PDF Icon Facility Pipe Marking Guide
    PDF Icon Pipe Marking Basics
    PDF Icon Getting Started with Pipe Marking
    SEE MORE
    Pipe Marking Banner
  • COVID-19

    COVID-19 Solutions

    • Safety Signs
    • Printer Kits
    • Awareness Posters
    • A-Frame Signs
    • Sneeze Guards
    • All COVID-19 Solutions

    Social Distancing

    • Social Distancing Signs
    • Social Distancing Floor Signs
    • Social Distancing Floor Tape
    • All Social Distancing

    COVID-19 By Industry

    • Grocery & Retail
    • Medical & Healthcare
    • Office Settings
    • Restaurants & Food Service
    • Food Manufacturing
    • Construction
    • Manufacturing
    • Finance
    • Transportation
    • Education

    Related Resources

    Video Icon COVID-19 Safety At Work Webinar
    PDF Icon Social Distancing Reference Chart
    SEE MORE
    COVID Banner
  • Resources
  • Help
  • Free Samples
  • Quick Order
    Enter item SKU# and quantity
Graphic Products
  • My Account
  • Printers & Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Floor Tape
  • Pipe Markers
  • COVID-19
  • Resources
  • Help
  • Free Samples
  • Quick Order
  • Favorites
  • Contact Us
  • Back
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • Account
  • Orders
  • Track My Order
  • Addresses
  • Login & Security
  • Payment Methods
  • Carrier Accounts
  • Favorites Lists
  • Sign Out
  • Back
  • SIGN IN
  • No Account? Sign up
    Forgot password?
  • Back
  • Quick Order
Enter item SKU# and quantity
  • Back
  • Printers & Supplies
  • DuraLabel Toro Max
  • DuraLabel Bronco Max
  • DuraLabel Toro
  • DuraLabel Bronco
  • DuraLabel Kodiak
  • DuraLabel Lobo
  • DuraLabel PRO 300
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Toro Max
  • Toro Max Printer
  • Toro Max Supplies
  • Toro Max Ribbon
  • Toro Max Accessories
  • Toro Max Bundles and Kits
  • Toro Max Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Bronco Max
  • Bronco Max Printer
  • Bronco Max Supplies
  • Bronco Max Ribbon
  • Bronco Max Accessories
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Toro
  • Toro Supplies
  • Toro Ribbon
  • Toro Accessories
  • Toro Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Bronco
  • Bronco Supplies
  • Bronco Ribbon
  • Bronco Accessories
  • Bronco Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Kodiak
  • Kodiak Printer
  • Kodiak Supplies
  • Kodiak Ribbon
  • Kodiak Accessories
  • Kodiak Bundles and Kits
  • Kodiak Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Lobo
  • Lobo Printer
  • Lobo Supplies
  • Lobo Ribbon
  • Lobo Accessories
  • Lobo Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel PRO 300
  • DLP 300 Printer
  • DLP 300 Supplies
  • DLP 300 Ribbon
  • DLP 300 Accessories
  • DLP 300 Bundles and Kits
  • DLP 300 Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • Safety Signs
  • Compliance Signs
  • Facility Signs
  • Traffic Signs
  • Floor Signs
  • Shop All Safety Signs
  • Back
  • Compliance Signs
  • Chemical Signage
  • Confined Space Signs
  • Electrical Hazard Signs
  • Fire Signage
  • PPE Safety Signs
  • All Compliance Signs
  • Back
  • Facility Signs
  • Restricted Area Signs
  • Smoking Signs
  • Machinery Signs
  • Bathroom Signs
  • All Facility Signs
  • Back
  • Traffic Signs
  • Directional Signs
  • Exit Signs
  • Emergency Signs
  • Forklift Signs
  • All Traffic Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Signs
  • Blank Floor Signs
  • Exit Floor Signs
  • Fire Safety Floor Signs
  • First Aid Floor Signs
  • LOTO Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Tape
  • General Floor Tape
  • Floor Signs
  • Floor Marking Shapes
  • Other
  • Shop All Floor Tape
  • Back
  • Floor Tape
  • 5S Floor Tape
  • Aisle Tape
  • Glow in the Dark Tape
  • Reflective Tape
  • Anti-Slip Tape
  • All Floor Tape
  • Back
  • Floor Signs
  • Blank Floor Signs
  • Exit Floor Signs
  • Fire Safety Floor Signs
  • First Aid Floor Signs
  • LOTO Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Marking Shapes
  • Floor Marking Corners
  • Floor Marking T's
  • Floor Marking Footprints
  • Floor Marking Circles
  • Floor Marking Arrows
  • All Floor Marking Shapes
  • Back
  • Other
  • Discount Bundles
  • Floor Marking Accessories
  • Floor Laminate
  • Back
  • Pipe Markers
  • Shop By Standard
  • ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Other
  • Shop All Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • Shop By Standard
  • Standard (ANSI A13.1) Pipe Markers
  • Ammonia (IIAR) Pipe Markers
  • Medical (NFPA 99) Pipe Markers
  • Marine (ISO 14726) Pipe Markers
  • European Pipe Markers
  • All Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Fire Quenching
  • Flammable/Oxidizing
  • Toxic or Corrosive
  • Compressed Air
  • Various Water
  • All ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • Other
  • Pipe Marking Accessories
  • Valve Tags
  • Arrow Banding Tape
  • Back
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Solutions
  • Social Distancing
  • COVID-19 By Industry
  • Shop All COVID-19 Solutions
  • Back
  • COVID-19 Solutions
  • Safety Signs
  • Printer Kits
  • Awareness Posters
  • A-Frame Signs
  • Sneeze Guards
  • All COVID-19 Solutions
  • Back
  • Social Distancing
  • Social Distancing Signs
  • Social Distancing Floor Signs
  • Social Distancing Floor Tape
  • All Social Distancing
  • Back
  • COVID-19 By Industry
  • Grocery & Retail
  • Medical & Healthcare
  • Office Settings
  • Restaurants & Food Service
  • Food Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Finance
  • Transportation
  • Education
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Articles
  • Six Sigma Principles

Six Sigma Principles

BY GRAPHIC PRODUCTS STAFF

minute read

What Is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is a systematic approach to eliminating errors. Six Sigma uses statistical methods to improve quality by minimizing variability in business processes, from manufacturing to engineering and purchasing. Six Sigma accomplishes its goal by using two Six Sigma Methods: DMAIC and DMADV.  

Six Sigma DMAIC

The Six Sigma DMAIC approach is typically used to improve an existing process. DMAIC is an acronym that stands for:

  • Define the problem and desired outcome
  • Measure the ability of the process
  • Analyze the data and identify the root cause of variations (defects)
  • Improve or modify the process so that fewer variations (defects) are produced
  • Control the process. Prevent and correct variations before they result in defects

Six Sigma DMADV

When designing a new process, the Six Sigma DMADV is used. It is also known as DFSS (Design for Six Sigma). The DMADV acronym stands for:

white board with six sigma principals

  • Define design standards that align with the product or process goals
  • Measure and identify characteristics of the product or process that are critical to quality
  • Analyze the data, and identify possible sources of defects
  • Design changes that will eliminate the source of defects or errors
  • Verify that the design will meet the requirements

Five Key Six Sigma Principles

Six Sigma success is based on five key principles:

  • Focusing on customer requirements
  • Using extensive measurement and statistical analysis to understand how work gets done and to identify the root cause of problems (variations)
  • Being proactive in eliminating variation and continually improving the process
  • Involving people in Six Sigma cross-functional teams
  • Being thorough and being flexible

Customer Focus

Six Sigma is about improving quality. The first step in that process is defining what “quality” means, from the perspective of the people whose opinions matter most: the customers. A business needs to measure quality the same way its customers do. By focusing on the customer, a business can improve its products’ quality.

Identify Root Causes

To correctly identify a root cause, a complete understanding of the process is necessary. This does not mean just understanding how a process was designed to work. It means understanding how the process is actually working. To accomplish this you need to:

  • Have clearly defined goals for data collection
    • Identify the data that needs to be collected
    • Have a defined reason for the data being collected
    • Establish what insights are expected from the data
  • Ensure accurate communication by clearly defining terms
  • Ensure that measurements are accurate and repeatable
  • Establish a standardized data collection system/process

Once the data is collected, determine whether it is providing the required insight and is meeting the goals that were established. If not, refine the data collection plan and collect additional information.

Six Sigma data collection involves interviewing people, making observations, and asking questions until the answers are found. Ask the questions such as:

  • “Why do we do things this way?”
  • “What would make your job easier?”
  • “What things do you do that seem to be a waste of time?”

Once the data is collected, use it to look for ways to improve or optimize the process by identifying the root cause of variation.

Eliminate Variation

workers using six sigma principals on the construction site

After identifying root causes, make changes to the process that will eliminate variation, and thus eliminate defects from the process. Also look for ways to eliminate steps that do not add value for the customer. This will eliminate waste.

Be proactive in identifying variation and eliminating it. Don't wait for signs of variation to become obvious. Collect data, talk with people, and study the data to find variations in the process that may have become accepted because “that's the way we've always done things.”

Teamwork

Six Sigma involves teams and leaders who take responsibility for the Six Sigma processes. The people on the teams need to be trained in Six Sigma's methods, including the Six Sigma measurement methods and improvement tools that will be used. In addition, they need communication skills so that they can involve, serve, and communicate clearly with both coworkers and customers.

Putting together teams that have members with a variety of skills and backgrounds related to a process will help the team spot variations. For a manufacturing process for example, people from operations, maintenance, engineering, and purchasing should be included.

Be Flexible and Thorough

Six Sigma requires flexibility in many ways. The business’s management system needs to accept positive changes as well as empower change. Employees should be motivated to adapt to change. In the beginning, the benefits of the changes should be made clear to workers. This will help to create an environment where change is more readily accepted.

Key to Six Sigma is the ability to change or adapt procedures as needed. In short, the process required for change should not be so complex that workers and management would rather work with a broken process than fix it.

Six Sigma also requires problem-solving to be thorough. Making sure to understand every aspect of a process—the steps, people, and departments involved—will help to ensure that any new or updated process works

Six Sigma Quality Management Tools

A variety of tools can be used to support Six Sigma, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Capability Analysis, 5 Whys, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), and Statistical Process Control (SPC).

VSMs are visual maps or flowcharts that enable businesses to understand every aspect of a process and define potential problems. Unlike standard flow charts, VSMs include the internal (departments and workers) and external (customers and shipping) factors that affect a process. By completely mapping out a process, it is much easier to define potential problems.

Capability Analyses measure the ability of a process to meet a business’s needs. This tool allows businesses to quantify the relationship between the customers’ needs and the current process’s ability to meet those needs, allowing businesses to make processes that are customer-focused.

Five Whys enable businesses to hone in on a problem’s root cause and fix it, rather than addressing surface-level issues that temporarily improve a situation. Doing what its name suggests, Five Whys requires workers to ask “why” until the root cause of a problem is identified.

PDCA is a lean tool that solves problems using four steps: Plan, Do, Check, Act. Once a root cause is identified, this tool allows it to be addressed systematically by creating a solution, testing it, reviewing its success, and finally implementing it.

SPC is a quality control tool that monitors and controls a process by tracking its metrics. A common way to implement SPC is to use a control chart, which records information and allows businesses to see when a process stops working. Once an issue is discovered, the process can be altered to solve any new problems that occur.

Key Six Sigma Principles – Clear, Effective Visual Communications

Six Sigma involves change, and change requires effective on-going communication. Old habits need to be broken and new habits established. Graphic Products offers an array of supplies that can help make Six Sigma successful in your business including printers and labels.

Other lean methodologies can also be used to support Six Sigma. Lean tools like Kaizen can be used to help create an environment where changes are accepted and business practices are continuously improved upon, while 5S can be used to make problems easier to spot as well as create standardized processes.

Related Resources

DFSS (Design For Six Sigma)

Design for Six Sigma

Create products that meet customer needs with the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) method

Read
Kaizen Infographic

Kaizen

Get a visual summary of the lean system Kaizen, its benefits, and how to utilize it in your facility

View
  • The free 5s guide will start you on the path to efficiency.
  • A free guide to reducing costs and increasing productivity.
Get the latest deals straight to your inbox
Trusted by These Companies
Starbucks
GM
Du Pont
Amazon
Disney
3M
Pepsi
NASA
Chevron
AT&T
Toyota
Coca-Cola
UPS
Target
  • Graphic Products, Inc.
    9825 SW Sunshine Ct
    Beaverton, OR
    97005 USA

  • Business Hours:
    Monday - Friday
    5:30am - 5pm Pacific

  • 1-888-326-9244 (U.S./Canada)
  • +1-503-644-5572 (International)
  • Products
  • Printers
  • Printer Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Safety Labels
  • Floor Marking
  • Pipe Markers & Tags
  • Catalog
  • Support
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Manage Account
  • Printer Support
  • Warranties
  • Content Usage Guidelines
  • Resources
  • Resource Center
  • Guides
  • Articles
  • Video Library
  • Safety Blog
  • Infographics
  • Webinars
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Become a Dealer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Press Room

Need Help?

Give us a call at 1-888-326-9244 and speak with an expert.

Customer Reviews
  • Copyright © 2023
  • All Rights Reserved
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Shipping and Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Data