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Sometimes, the projects you manage don’t seem to work out the way you plan for them to. They may not fail regularly, but when they do, it can lead to numerous other issues. How, when, and why Six Sigma projects fail depends on any number of variables. Because each project is unique and every project manager different, the cause of issues can greatly vary. Yet, just because you experience a setback in your project doesn’t mean you should close up shop! In this article, we will analyze how you can correct Six Sigma issues that arise in your projects.

Reasons for Issues

There are multiple reasons for issues to happen during a project. For some, it may be a lack of managerial support and guidance. For others, there be too few people with sufficient training. However, every Six Sigma project that experiences issues faces the same conundrum; a lack of preparation. Before a project even begins, everyone involved must be prepared for the task at hand. Without this, you can expect to face any number of issues.

Organization

The first way to correct issues within your project is to organize your systems. This includes personnel, supplies, equipment, and other resources your project might need. When project team members understand their roles and how to carry out their functions, they will work more effectively. Likewise, when equipment and supplies is carefully placed and organized, it can be easily accessible. These minor changes are the first steps you should take when trying to resolve any present issues.

Motivation

Next, remind your project team of the end goal. Sometimes, employees lose motivation to complete their tasks. As a result, they may not recognize their roles for completing their tasks. To combat this, help your team members by reiterating what the project aspires to accomplish. Outline exactly how their efforts contribute to the overall success and how they can perform their tasks better.

Management

Another option to resolve issues in your projects is to reinforce management. Managers for Six Sigma projects are typically Black and Master Black Belts, who gain assistance from lower Belts. If project managers do not know how to properly relay information to their team, team members will not have a clear task description. Likewise, team members must respect the authority and guidance managers have over them. If a manager cannot control their team’s progress and find ways for improvement, issues will continue to occur.

Review

Finally, reviewing Six Sigma methodologies and tools is an ideal way to combat project issues. Sometimes, employees forget how to use certain tools, or possibly do not recognize which ones are most effective for the task at hand. Depending on the project and the severity of issues present, a refresher course over Six Sigma may be your answer. While this does not necessarily have to be a comprehensive training course, it should cover the basics of the project.

What goals are you trying to achieve? How will you achieve them? What project team member is responsible for which tasks? Which tools should they use? These questions and more can easily be answered and reviewed during a short, compact training review course.