The best of iSixSigma 2018 features the highlights of this year’s content – those best loved by our readers.

1. The Agreement Process: 3 Steps to Achieve Buy-in

The agreement process boils down to the language we use and how different people perceive the meanings behind different words. The three-step approach explained in this article – the agreement process – improves the chances of getting buy-in. It is a structured approach to gaining buy-in, an important factor when making a change.

2. Incorporate Lean Six Sigma in Automation Process

Lean Six Sigma can assist organizations determine which processes are the best candidates for automation, as well as make those processes more automation ready. Manufacturing and healthcare sectors are already making use of the technology, and growth of 70 percent to 80 percent in 2018 is expected due to the robust demand for this automation.

3. MSA: Be Sure that Your Data Is Valid

Data is the lifeblood of Lean Six Sigma. But that data must be measured reliably or it’s worthless to try to improve your process. In this article, the author helps us figure out the correct data validation method for manufacturing or transactional processes, for discrete or continuous data. Included is a handy decision tree you may want to bookmark.

4. Process Capability – The Basics: Part 1

In Part 1, we explore the concept of process capability, including how to calculate it and what to do with non-normal data. A car-and-garage example is used to “drive home” the point.

5. Process Capability – Surface Finish Example: Part 2

In Part 2 we look at failure rates and material conditions for a surface finish example.