Six Sigma Tools for Improve and Control from Coursera

This course will provide you will the tools necessary to complete the final components of the analyze phase as well as the improve and control phases of the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) process. This course is the final course in the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Specialization. You will learn about relationships from data using correlation and regression as well as the different hypothesis terms in hypothesis testing. This course will provide you with tools and techniques for improvement. You will also understand the importance of a control plan, as well as its key characteristics, for maintaining process improvements. Every module will include readings, discussions, lecture videos, and quizzes to help make sure you understand the material and concepts that are studied.

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

Correlation and Regression

Welcome to Six Sigma Tools for Improve and Control! This is the fourth 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. The next two modules will conclude the Analyze phase of the DMAIC process and in the final two modules you will be introduced to the Improve and Control phase. This module will continue to discussion analysis by explaining correlation and regression. You will learn the meaning of correlation and regression, the different types of analysis, and how it can be used in Six Sigma.

Hypothesis Testing

This the final module that covers the Analysis phase of the DMAIC process. Now that you have collected the data and calculated it you will need to determine how to make a statistical conclusion about your findings. In this module you will learn more about the importance of hypothesis testing, how to correctly do a hypothesis test reading as well as how to avoid errors, and statistical significance.

Improvement Techniques

This module will introduce you to the Improve and Control phase of the DMAIC process. The first step in this phase is determining improvement techniques to help make improvements to an organization. This module will cover the best and most popular improvement techniques including kaizen and kaizen blitz, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, and cost benefit analysis (including cost of quality).

Control Tools and Documentation

The final phase of the DMAIC process is the control phase. In this module you will learn about control tools that are useful in maintaining improvements. Communication is a key component of the control phase therefore it is important to develop standardized documentation. You will learn about how to standardize and manage documentation to help maintain processes that were implemented during the improve phase of DMAIC.

CAPSTONE PROJECT FOR COMPLETION OF YELLOW BELT SPECIALIZATION

This module is the "capstone project." You should only complete this project if you have taken all three previous yellow belt specialization courses (Six Sigma Fundamentals, Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure, and Six Sigma Tools for Analyze), AND you want to complete this specialization. It should be noted that completing the Yellow Belt Specialization does not give the learner "professional accreditation" in Six Sigma. However, successful completion will assist in better preparation for such professional accreditation testing.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Useful for individuals wanting to complete the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Specialization

Taught by experts in the field

Builds on the foundation of Six Sigma Fundamentals, Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure, and Six Sigma Tools for Analyze

Provides essential tools for analyzing, improving, and controlling processes within the Six Sigma DMAIC framework

Requires a separate purchase of the companion text The Certified Six Sigma Handbook (2nd edition)

Reviews summary

Six sigma yellow belt expertise

Students say this course offers a largely positive and well-rounded Six Sigma Yellow Belt learning experience. The course focuses Lean Six Sigma methodologies, empowering learners with practical tools and techniques they can use in their careers. Learners have praised the engaging assignments and expert instructors, making the learning process interactive and enriching. The course is highly recommended for those seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in process improvement and operational excellence.

Applicable in real-world scenarios

"I think the best thing in our lives in access a good education, even thoug if we don´t have enough Money to do it, and TUM gave me that opportunity."

"The real-world examples and case studies used throughout the course provided a practical context that helped in understanding the abstract concepts."

Well-rounded and comprehensive

"It was great experience learning with professionals and professors from universities."

"The course is nicely design to give brief information about the tree of Six Sigma."

"Overall, I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to gain a solid foundation in Six Sigma."

Interactive and thought-provoking

"The quizzes and assignments were thought-provoking and aligned well with the course objectives, serving as excellent tools for self-assessment."

"The forum discussions were enlightening, and the peer interaction added an extra layer of depth to my understanding of Six Sigma methodologies."

Knowledgeable and engaging

"Thank you for such a informative course."

"The course is expertly designed, providing a comprehensive overview of Six Sigma principles and their practical applications."

Can be challenging, but manageable

"Although this course is not easy course but the instructors were very proficient to simplify the materials to be understandable."

"This course gives you a complete overview of what the DMIAC process is."

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 Improve and Control with these activities:

Consolidate and organize course materials

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Stay organized and prepare for revision by consolidating and reviewing course materials.

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Organize notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Combine and summarize key concepts.
Review the consolidated materials.

Practice correlation and regression analysis

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Improve your understanding and application of correlation and regression analysis techniques.

Browse courses on Correlation and Regression

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Review correlation and regression concepts.
Find practice problems or datasets online.
Perform correlation and regression analysis on the data.
Interpret the results and draw conclusions.

Read and summarize textbook

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Review and reinforce key concepts covered in the course by reading the recommended textbook.

View The Handbook of Quality Management 2e (Pb) on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters.
Take notes and highlight important sections.
Summarize the main points of each chapter.

Four other activities

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Solve hypothesis testing problems

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Practice applying hypothesis testing concepts to analyze data and make statistical conclusions.

Browse courses on Hypothesis Testing

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Review hypothesis testing concepts from the course.
Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Solve the problems, step-by-step, showing your work.
Check your answers against provided solutions or consult with an expert if needed.

Follow online tutorials on statistical software

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Enhance your data analysis skills by following guided tutorials on using statistical software like Minitab or JMP.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Choose a statistical software package.
Find online tutorials or courses.
Follow the tutorials, step-by-step.
Practice using the software with real or practice data.

Develop an improvement plan

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Apply improvement techniques to develop a plan for enhancing a process or system in the workplace.

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Identify an area for improvement.
Gather data and analyze the current process.
Brainstorm and evaluate improvement ideas.
Develop an implementation plan.
Present the plan to stakeholders.

Conduct a small-scale Six Sigma project

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Gain hands-on experience in applying Six Sigma methodologies by conducting a project within your organization or community.

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Define the project scope and objectives.
Collect and analyze data.
Implement improvement solutions.
Monitor and evaluate the results.
Present the findings and recommendations.

Career center

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

Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Six Sigma Master Black Belts are the highest level of Six Sigma certification. They are responsible for developing and implementing Six Sigma strategies and programs across an entire organization. This course can help Six Sigma Master Black Belts develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers and become successful Six Sigma leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Six Sigma Black Belt

Six Sigma Black Belts are experts in Six Sigma methodologies and tools. They are responsible for leading and managing Six Sigma projects and initiatives. This course can help Six Sigma Black Belts develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance their careers and become successful Six Sigma leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Six Sigma Black Belt

Quality Engineer

Quality Engineers are responsible for developing and implementing quality control systems and procedures to ensure that products and services meet customer requirements. They use their knowledge of Six Sigma and other quality management techniques to identify and eliminate sources of defects and errors. This course can help Quality Engineers build a strong foundation in Six Sigma, which is essential for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Engineer

Process Engineer

Process Engineers design, improve, and optimize processes and systems in manufacturing and production environments. They use their knowledge of engineering principles and Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiencies in processes. This course can help Process Engineers develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved process efficiency and quality.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design, improve, and optimize processes and systems in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. They use their knowledge of engineering principles and Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiencies in processes. This course can help Industrial Engineers develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved process efficiency and quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers design, develop, and implement manufacturing processes and systems. They use their knowledge of engineering principles and Six Sigma methodologies to improve the efficiency and productivity of manufacturing operations. This course can help Manufacturing Engineers develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved process efficiency and quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Quality Management Consultant

Quality Management Consultants help businesses improve their quality management systems and processes. They use their knowledge of quality management principles and Six Sigma methodologies to help businesses achieve their quality goals. This course can help Quality Management Consultants develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved quality management outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Management Consultant

Data Analyst

Data Analysts translate raw data into understandable formats, such as reports, visualizations, and summaries. They use their skills in data analysis and data mining to uncover insights and trends in data. This course can help Data Analysts build a foundation in Six Sigma, which is a methodology for improving processes and reducing defects. The tools and techniques learned in this course can help Data Analysts identify and eliminate sources of error, variation, and waste in their data analysis processes.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of a business or organization. They use their knowledge of business principles and Six Sigma methodologies to improve the efficiency and productivity of operations. This course can help Operations Managers develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved process efficiency and quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Quality Control Inspector

Quality Control Inspectors are responsible for ensuring that products and services meet customer requirements. They use their knowledge of quality control principles and Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate defects and errors. This course can help Quality Control Inspectors develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved product and service quality.

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Reliability Engineer

Reliability Engineers are responsible for designing and developing reliable products and systems. They use their knowledge of engineering principles and Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate sources of failure and defects. This course can help Reliability Engineers develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved product and system reliability.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They use their knowledge of project management principles and Six Sigma methodologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of projects. This course can help Project Managers develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved project outcomes.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. They use their knowledge of business principles and Six Sigma methodologies to develop and implement solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations. This course can help Business Analysts develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved business outcomes.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. They use their knowledge of statistics and Six Sigma methodologies to help businesses make better decisions. This course can help Statisticians develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement Six Sigma in their work, leading to improved data analysis and decision-making.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their skills in data analysis and data mining to uncover insights and trends in data. They use this information to help businesses make better decisions. This course can help Data Scientists build a foundation in Six Sigma, which can help them to improve the accuracy and reliability of their data analysis and modeling work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist