How Can Six Sigma Take Advantage Of IoT?

Six Sigma helps users take advantage of Internet of Things (IoT), which is directly related to the detonation of data in modern world. Find out the ways through which IoT facilitates Six Sigma.

Look around you. Most electronic devices that complete your life, such as mobile phones and PCs, are all connected to the Internet. This information packed connectivity accesses your personal information, serves data is to dealers of products and services, and presents a lot of information pertaining to fundamental and advanced data. Well known as IoT, the inimitable concept of connectivity is closely related to Six Sigma and makes you leverage the benefits of its many feature in more ways than one. 

Generating the Advantage

The enormous amount of customers’ data available on the web is cleaned up and managed with the help of various analytical processes. As soon as the raw data is converted into a proper set-up, the assembling of effective business intelligence from the available reserved data becomes a possibility. This is the exact point where the importance of Six Sigma comes into the play. By making use of the tools and techniques of Six Sigma, processed data can be prominently utilized by retailers and manufacturers. Users can apply data for gaining insights to the preferences and habits of users. Practices concerned with Six Sigma are then implemented for bringing about high units of customer satisfaction via the use of diverse products or services. 

How Six Sigma takes Advantage of IoT

In the competitive business environment, IoT is a useful technology that is extremely efficient in bringing ease and speed in linking devices and spreading data across the Internet. IoT has already initiated massive value in the fields of remote monitoring, smart grid management, and asset tracking. Yes, it is a really helpful element in utilizing six sigma tools for improving connectivity based processes. 

The following are the four major ways through which IoT can help Six Sigma perform efficiently:

1. Maintenance of Data Integrity: Various Six Sigma tools are dependent upon data for identifying, defining and evaluating problems. It is inevitable that data is the most essential element for driving process enhancements of all kinds. Data collected through valuable sources might sometimes be blemished due to human intervention. Because of this, the interpretation of data, by a data analyst or an expert, may not be accurate and correct at all times. By the time modified data reaches analysis experts, ample information is lost and data integrity deteriorates beyond limits. IoT is that specific technology aspect that assists firm and service providers in eliminating the issues caused by human interventions. Since IoT gadgets are straightaway connected to the cloud, or the software for data analysis, the gathered consumers’ data can be passed to data analyzers without any fuss. All kinds of data can then be tracked, reported and consolidated competently, thereby upholding data integrity.

2. Problem Identification: Use of IoT devices assists direct connection with a cloud infrastructure that has improved capabilities of data analysis. By using the appropriate tools of data interpretation, all abnormal process variations can be identified quickly and effectively. Identification of problems, way before they hamper outputs, is then possible by setting standards on the limits of deviations. The most essential feature of IoT (in this regard) is that data can be transferred to the cloud wirelessly and can also be shared via an internet enabled phone or tablet. This data becomes traceable by both primary as well as other users. For instance, with IoT and Six Sigma in place, a supervisor need not wait to receive calls from first line operators to inform him about any deviations in process standards; he can track everything on his own.

3. Identifying Root Causes: The most vital concept of Six Sigma is to pin-point and identify the root causes of any problem. For finding the root cause, one would have to conduct the popular “5-why” analysis and validate the responses to all 5-whys. IoT holds real capabilities of speeding up the entire process of verifying the causes of all related problems as well. On the other hand, the methodology of Six Sigma requires close observation of problems and the collection of further data for arriving at a particular conclusion about the root causes of issues on hand. IoT provides modules for the use of Six Sigma experts who can then gather all sorts of new data by using the same.

4. Monitoring of Solution: For successful undertaking of a project, it is of prime importance that the plan of action generated upon root causes is evaluated and monitored properly. Generally, it indicates using new KPIs that are directly associated with the action plan. At most times, it is really difficult to monitor a new KPI due to the lack of installed devices for measurement. Also, if the KPI is observed manually, it would mean additional pressure for the employee in charge. However, use of IoT modules with essential censors can make the task of monitoring KPIs easier. 

Six Sigma and IoT- the Perfect Collaboration! 

If utilized properly, IoT can be an extremely helpful tool for enhancing the performance of Six Sigma applications and methodologies. Thus for exploiting the advantages of IoT to perfection, Six Sigma professionals must identify and necessitate their requirements in business concerns. So, in order to bring about the perfect collaboration, it is indeed a good idea to initiate IoT process for the sake of better Six Sigma implementation. Go for it!