Combining Project Management and Six-Sigma Best Practices to Better Understand and Optimize Critical Processes

Speakers:  Larry Meyer, PMP and Tony Scrima, PMP

Many companies across all industries are seeking ways to increase efficiency in executing critical business processes, including processes such as Product Development, Customer Service, and Order Fulfillment.  These efficiency enhancements can take the form of reduced cycle time, less waste, smoother handoffs, and better information flow.  However, since these business processes typically involve numerous stakeholders and cut across multiple functional areas, successfully tackling such a complex initiative takes both a structured approach and outstanding leadership in order to thrive.  Combining the best practices of project management with six-sigma methodologies provides both the structure and leadership framework required to identify improvement opportunities, develop sustainable solutions, and lead the organization through the strategic change process. 

This presentation will provide an overview of the specific aspects of both six sigma and project management methodologies critical for process improvement initiatives.  Additionally, the critical process optimization tool – process mapping, will be introduced.  The current state mapping of business critical processes provides an organization and process owner with a visualization of the cross-functional interdependencies, process cycle time, etc., and serves as the foundation for building the desired state process.  Techniques to identify optimization opportunities and the resulting desired state process will then be explored, and finally, key success factors in leading the implementation of the new process will be discussed.