Q: Epsilon works with process optimizations using DMAIC and You are a Black Belt, why don't You describe Yourself as a Six Sigma Consultant?
A: Six Sigma is "simply" a methodology and a tool box to do analysis and optimizations. It is the optimization itself that is important, not how You get there. I would also like to see myself as more of an advisor than a consultant.
Q: What is the distinction between consultant and advisor?
A: To me, a consultant is someone You consult (like Your doctor). That is somone You go to looking for an solution to a problem, a prescription so to speak. An advisor helps You find the solution, advises You how You can do and by joint effort solves the problem.
Q: Would You belive that a lot of consultants disagree with this point of view?
A: Certainly. Most consultants I have worked with has been highly professional and very skillful, but in most cases they have in my perspective actually been advisors and colleauges and been part of the project team. Precisely this team commitment is very important when implementing new solutions. Otherwise You end in a situation where the effect from the optimization degrades when the consultant leaves.
Q: So teamwork and commitment is highly important?
A: Yes. If everyone is not comitted, then someone is pulling in the wrong direction no matter how good advise You get. Besides from that, every company has a lot of strong internal competencies to utilize. It is extremely important to anchor a project within the companys own needs and find solutions based on company know how and experience, even though thinking out of the box and finding new ways to better solutions often is needed. This is exactly where the tools from Six Sigma are strong.
Q: Strong, how?
A: With an analytical approach it is possible to "prove" what You claim. This means that the basis for any given solution or path to the solution is very strong and it is possible to measure and document the effect. Aside from that, the bonus from statistical documentation is increased trust from Your customer. If You can provide solid documentation for Your product quality and Your manufacturing processes in instills trust.
Q: Isn't this trust exactly what GMP is all about?
A: Absolutely. GMP is very much about trust. If You can prove that You are able to document Your processes and establish evidence that the products are of the correct quality it naturally builds trust. Think about how unconcerned we buy medicine. We do not study each pill or analyze the blizter packaging in pressure chambers. As consumers we trust the manufacturer of the medicine. But as a company the major benefit from GMP is controlling Your processes. You can feel confident about expected outcome of the processes and if any problems arises, it much easier to solve problems in a well documented process.
Q: It sound very extensive and time consuming with all these preparations and complicated analysis
A: That depends a lot on the complexity of the project and how well it has been defined from the start. My briefest project lasted one week including documentation and a management presentaion. It lead to anual savings of approximately 100.000 USD in a department with 30 employees. It is not always time is the critical factor. Often projects fail simply beacuse they are extended over too long a period of time.