Six Sigma For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 15

Mining Data and Processes for Insight

In This Chapter

Separating the critical few performance influencers from the trivial many

Using observational studies as a funneling tool

Detecting root cause with multi-vari process observation

In Chapters 7 and 8, we show you many different ways to identify and discover all the possible variables (the Xs) influencing an important outcome, process, or characteristic (the Y). This chapter helps you start whittling this large list of potential influencers to a handful of variables on which to focus your improvement efforts.

This reduction of a large collection of potential factors down to a smaller area of focus is called data mining, and it allows you to concentrate your limited resources on the items that really have an impact on improvement. Throughout this whole process, be certain your choices are guided by the data rather than by opinion or guesses.

Filling the Funnel

To get a concentrated stream out of the bottom of a funnel, you first must fill the top abundantly. Six Sigma is no different. You start by dispassionately carrying all possible causes into your project. But as you progress, you let your analyses of the data tell ...