Alignment with Organizational Goals
In Lean Six Sigma, selecting the right projects is crucial for maximizing benefits and ensuring that resources are effectively utilized. A key criterion for project selection is the alignment of project goals with the overall organizational goals. This alignment ensures that the projects contribute meaningfully to the strategic objectives of the organization.
The Importance of Alignment
Strategic Focus: Projects aligned with organizational goals ensure that the efforts of the Six Sigma team contribute directly to the company's strategic objectives.
Resource Optimization: Alignment with organizational goals helps prevent the misallocation of limited resources, including time and expertise of Six Sigma professionals.
Enhanced Effectiveness: Projects that align with business goals are more likely to receive necessary support and resources, enhancing their chances of success and effectiveness.
Methods for Ensuring Alignment
Data-Based Review: Begin with a high-level review of internal and external sources of information about performance. This includes employee feedback, performance metrics, and reports. This review helps in understanding the current state of the organization and identifying areas where Six Sigma projects can align with organizational needs.
Corporate Alignment Assessment: Evaluate how the goals of the potential project align with the business goals. Working on projects that do not align with these goals can reduce business effectiveness.
Project Selection Matrix: Use a matrix to evaluate project alignment among other criteria. The matrix should include questions like:
Do project goals align with corporate goals?
Is data available or accessible?
Are defects well defined?
Is the process stable?
Are there customer and company benefits to the project?
Can the project be completed within a reasonable timeframe?
Will the improvements maintain or improve quality across the value chain?
Conclusion
Aligning Lean Six Sigma projects with organizational goals is a fundamental step in project selection. It ensures that projects contribute to the strategic objectives of the organization, thereby enhancing their relevance and impact. By prioritizing projects that are in sync with the broader goals of the business, organizations can ensure that their Lean Six Sigma initiatives drive meaningful and sustainable improvements.