The Analyze Phase

QSO 620: Six Sigma Project Plan Guidelines and Grading Guide

Overview The final project for this course is the creation of a detailed Six Sigma Project Plan to improve an existing process at an organization of the student’s choice, such as his or her workplace. Students will use the knowledge that they have gained in this course, coupled with their previous knowledge, to create a 10-12 page paper. The Six Sigma Paper Project should be written in the student’s own words and include his/her own critical analysis. The Six Sigma Project represents an authentic demonstration of competency because it will grant students hands-on experience with implementation of DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve- Control) methodology. The project is divided in to 8 milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules One, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine.

Main Elements The Six Sigma Paper Project should contain the following elements:

 Cover page

 Abstract (executive summary)

 Table of contents

 Company background o History of the company o Development of the company o Growth of the company

 Eight project components o Problem statement o Project Scope Statement and SIPOC o Define phase o Repeatability and reproducibility o Statistical process control o Measure phase o Analyze phase o Improve and Control phases

 References

 Appendices The paper project should be 10 to 12 pages in length, using 12-point Times New Roman Font with 1.5 line spacing.

Format Milestone One: Six Sigma Problem Statement

In 1-3, you will submit a Six Sigma Problem Statement. You should select a process at a business of your choice that needs improvement. Submit the 2-3 page Six Sigma Problem Statement to your instructor. This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Milestone Two: The Define Phase

In 3-4, you will submit two items: a Project Scope Statement and an SIPOC. The Project Scope Statement should be 2-3 pages in length and relate to the main problem that you identified in 1-3. This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Milestone Three: Repeatability and Reproducibility

In 4-4, you will submit a Repeatability and Reproducibility of the Measurement System Report. The report should be 200-400 words in length and address the following issues: What data must you collect? Who will collect the data? How do you trust that the data is accurate? This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Milestone Four: The Measure Phase

In 5-3, you will set values and calculate them for the process. You should set the following values process target (τ), upper specification (U), and lower specification (L). Then take appropriate samples to estimate the process mean (µ) and the process standard deviation (σ).

Calculate the following for your process:

Defectives per Million Opportunities (DPMO) Yield Process capability ratio (Cp) Process capability index (Cpk)

You should submit the values to your instructor. This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Milestone Five: The Analyze Phase

In 6-4, you will submit the Root Cause of the Problem you are trying to solve. Use Minitab® and/or a cause-and-effect diagram to format your submission. Identify the root cause of the problem you are trying to solve and construct a main effects plot, if applicable. This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Milestone Six: Statistical Process Control

In 7-3, you will submit a Control Chart. Using the process that you chose in 1-3, identify the type of data (variable or attribute) you have collected for the outputs of interest. The format of the Control Chart should be appropriate for your data, based on the knowledge that you gained from the Module Six lecture. This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Milestone Seven: The Improve and Control Phases

In 8-3, you will submit a Plan to Improve the Process by eliminating the root cause. The plan should include an estimate of the time and cost involved, the potential risks during the improvement process, and risk responses. This milestone will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.

Course Project: Submit for Grading

In 9-5, you will submit your Six Sigma Final Project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the main elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This milestone will be graded using the Final Product Rubric.

Deliverable Milestones Milestone Deliverables Module Due Grading

1 Problem Statement One Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

2 Project Scope Statement and an SIPOC Three Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

3 Repeatability and Reproducibility of the Measurement System Report

Four Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

4 Values for the Process Five Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

5 Root Cause of the Problem Six Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

6 Control Chart Seven Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

7 Plan to Improve the Process Eight Graded separately; Final Project Rubric

8 Final Product: Six Sigma Project Nine Graded separately; Final Product Rubric

Rubric Requirements of submission: Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines: 10-12 pages in length (not including cover page, abstract, table of contents, references, and appendices), 1.5 spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and APA citations.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Main Elements Includes almost all of the main elements and requirements and cites multiple examples to illustrate each element

Includes most of the main elements and requirements and cites many examples to illustrate each element

Includes some of the main elements and requirements

Does not include any of the main elements and requirements

25

Inquiry and Analysis

Explores multiple issues through extensive collection and in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions

Explores some issues through collection and in-depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions

Explores minimal issues through collection and analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions

Does not explore issues through collection and analysis of evidence and does not make informed conclusions

20

Integration and Application

All of the course concepts are correctly applied

Most of the course concepts are correctly applied

Some of the course concepts are correctly applied

Does not correctly apply any of the course concepts

10

Critical Thinking Demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Demonstrates moderate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Demonstrates minimal exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

Does not demonstrate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion

20

Recommendation Offers extensive alternative solutions via plan of action by applying respective theories

Offers extensive alternative solutions via plan of action

Attempts to offer an alternative solution via plan of action

Fails to offer an alternative solution via plan of action

15

Writing (Mechanics/Citations)

No errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Minor errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Some errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

Major errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations

10

Total 100%