Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure from Coursera

This course is for you if you are looking to learn more about Six Sigma or refresh your knowledge of the basic components of Six Sigma and Lean. Six Sigma skills are widely sought by employers both nationally and internationally. These skills have been proven to help improve business processes and performance. This course will cover the Define phase and introduce you to the Measure phase of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) process. You will learn about Six Sigma project development and implementation, you will become familiar with project management tools, you will be introduced to statistics and understand its significance to Six Sigma, and finally you will learn about data collection and its importance to an organization.

Every module will include readings, videos, and a quiz to help make sure you understand the material and concepts that are studied. You will also have the opportunity to participate in peer review exercises to give you the opportunity to apply the material to your daily life.

Our applied curriculum is built around the latest handbook The Certified Six Sigma Handbook (2nd edition) and students will develop /learn the fundamentals of Six Sigma. Registration includes online access to course content, projects, and resources but does not include the companion text The Certified Six Sigma Handbook (2nd edition). The companion text is not required to complete the assignments. However, the text is a recognized handbook used by professionals in the field. Also, it is a highly recommended text for those wishing to move forward in Six Sigma and eventually gain certification from professional agencies such as American Society for Quality (ASQ).

What's inside

Syllabus

Project Identification

Welcome to Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure! This is the second course in the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Specialization. Your team of instructors, Dr. Bill Bailey, Dr. David Cook, Dr. Christine Scherrer, and Dr. Gregory Wiles, currently work in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University. This module will introduce you to the process of project development and selection. The first phase of the DMAIC process is the Define phase which begins with project identification and proceeds onto project management. When identifying Six Sigma projects it is important to ensure that resources and time are used in the most effective and productive way. In this module you will learn about the importance of customer and stakeholder needs in relation to project development.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for those desiring foundational knowledge to build upon in future studies or a career field

Introduces Six Sigma methods and tools, beneficial for various industries seeking process improvement

Provides practical skills in project management and data analysis applicable to real-world Six Sigma projects

Taught by experienced instructors with backgrounds in engineering and Six Sigma, ensuring subject matter expertise

Requires proficiency in basic statistics, which may necessitate additional background knowledge or self-study

Companion textbook recommended but not included, potentially incurring additional expenses for learners

Reviews summary

Solid six sigma define and measure introduction

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the Define and Measure phases of Six Sigma DMAIC. Students found the structure logical and appreciated the focus on project identification and management basics. While the instructors are knowledgeable, some found the statistics module challenging, particularly without a prior background. Overall, reviews indicate it's a valuable foundation for process improvement.

Instructors demonstrate strong subject knowledge.

"The instructors clearly know their subject matter well."

"I appreciated the expertise the teaching team brought to the modules."

"The lecturers were informative and seemed very experienced."

Introduces helpful process/project tools.

"Learning about the different diagrams like affinity and matrix charts was useful."

"I can see how applying these project management tools helps define scope."

"The segment on project selection and management basics was quite practical."

Provides a good overview of Define and Measure.

"Gave me a great foundational understanding of the Define phase."

"I feel much more comfortable with the basics of the Measure phase now."

"This course is a good start for anyone new to Six Sigma DMAIC."

The course structure aligns well with DMAIC.

"The course modules flowed well, covering the necessary steps clearly."

"The step-by-step approach through Define and Measure phases is logical."

"I liked how the course broke down the DMAIC process phase by phase."

Basic statistics section can be challenging.

"The statistics section was a bit hard to grasp without prior knowledge."

"I struggled a bit with the basic statistics, more examples would help."

"Understanding the stats was the steepest part of the learning curve for me."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure with these activities:

Review Statistics Concepts

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Strengthen your foundation by revisiting fundamental statistical concepts, such as mean, median, and standard deviation.

Browse courses on Probability and Statistics

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Review your notes from previous statistics courses
Use online resources or textbooks to refresh your understanding
Work through practice problems to test your comprehension

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Consultant

Consultants work with businesses and organizations to improve their performance. They may be involved in a variety of projects, including process improvement, quality control, and strategic planning. A Six Sigma certification can be a valuable asset for a Consultant, as it demonstrates their expertise in process improvement and data analysis. This course can help Consultants develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use statistical methods and software to identify trends, patterns, and relationships in data. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Data Analysts, as it demonstrates their expertise in data analysis and process improvement. This course can help Data Analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Process Engineer

Process Engineers design, improve, and maintain processes to ensure that they are efficient and effective. They use statistical methods and tools to identify and eliminate waste, and to improve quality and productivity. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Process Engineers, as it demonstrates their expertise in process improvement and data analysis. This course can help Process Engineers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for developing and implementing quality management systems to ensure that products and services meet customer requirements. They use statistical methods and tools to identify and eliminate defects, and to improve quality and productivity. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Quality Managers, as it demonstrates their expertise in quality management and process improvement. This course can help Quality Managers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Lean Six Sigma Manager

Lean Six Sigma Managers are responsible for leading and managing Six Sigma projects and initiatives. They work with teams to identify and eliminate waste, and to improve quality and productivity. A Six Sigma certification is required for this role, and this course can help Lean Six Sigma Managers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of a business or organization. They work to ensure that operations are efficient and effective, and that quality standards are met. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Operations Managers, as it demonstrates their expertise in process improvement and data analysis. This course can help Operations Managers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work with teams to develop and implement project plans, and to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to scope. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Project Managers, as it demonstrates their expertise in project management and process improvement. This course can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses and organizations to identify and solve business problems. They use analytical methods and tools to understand business needs, and to develop and implement solutions. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Business Analysts, as it demonstrates their expertise in process improvement and data analysis. This course can help Business Analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Quality Engineer

Quality Engineers are responsible for developing and implementing quality control systems to ensure that products and services meet customer requirements. They use statistical methods and tools to identify and eliminate defects, and to improve quality and productivity. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Quality Engineers, as it demonstrates their expertise in quality management and process improvement. This course can help Quality Engineers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers design, develop, and implement manufacturing processes. They work to ensure that products are manufactured efficiently and effectively, and that quality standards are met. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Manufacturing Engineers, as it demonstrates their expertise in process improvement and data analysis. This course can help Manufacturing Engineers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design, improve, and install integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment. They work to ensure that systems are efficient and effective, and that quality standards are met. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Industrial Engineers, as it demonstrates their expertise in process improvement and data analysis. This course can help Industrial Engineers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses and organizations make informed decisions. They use statistical methods and software to identify trends, patterns, and relationships in data. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Statisticians, as it demonstrates their expertise in data analysis and process improvement. This course can help Statisticians develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use statistical methods and machine learning to extract insights from data. They work with businesses and organizations to solve business problems and improve decision-making. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Data Scientists, as it demonstrates their expertise in data analysis and process improvement. This course can help Data Scientists develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work to ensure that software is efficient, effective, and meets user requirements. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Software Engineers, as it demonstrates their expertise in process improvement and data analysis. This course can help Software Engineers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze financial data to help businesses and organizations make informed decisions. They use statistical methods and financial models to identify trends, patterns, and relationships in data. A Six Sigma certification can be helpful for Financial Analysts, as it demonstrates their expertise in data analysis and process improvement. This course can help Financial Analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in this role, including project management, data collection, and statistical analysis.

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