Liam Frady

What does the future of Six Sigma hold? Business is ever-changing, especially when looking at the trends and market forces that push and pull in the modern era. However, Six Sigma is alive and well, flourishing some might say. Now, this isn’t down to just pure luck, but rather a proven track record […]

What are the best tools for Agile? Agile as a methodology can seem somewhat freeform, despite following rather rigid planning. Further, since Agile projects are typically broken down into individual components, complex projects can spin out of control quite quickly. As such, it makes sense to employ solid and dependable tools for the […]

Where do stakeholders in Agile come into play? Any project management methodology is going to have a stakeholder of some sort at its core. However, learning the roles and overall function of these individuals in the grander scheme of your Agile project can make quite a bit of difference when moving through sprints […]

How do you get past resistance to Agile? Change is a tricky subject for any company to navigate. This is doubly true when looking at instituting a methodology like Agile for your project management needs. If you’ve got an entrenched method of work, changing gears so abruptly can lead to some setbacks. However, […]

Agile vs. waterfall, what is the best methodology for managing your projects? There is no shortage of project management approaches when it comes to businesses. Agile is one approach that has taken off in the world of software development, with new practitioners even extending it well outside of the tech industry. Waterfall is decidedly different, […]

How does Agile project management fare beyond the world of software development? Software development has adopted Agile as an industry standard, but the same principles can be applied across the band to a wide variety of industries. Furthermore, many industries would benefit from implementing the Agile methodology in their current project management workflow. […]

What are the most common challenges in digital transformation? Digital transformation is one of the driving forces behind modern business. However, making the most of the digital revolution isn’t always a sure thing. As such, it takes a somewhat deft hand to navigate the common pitfalls of digitizing your workplace. This can result […]

There never seems to be enough time on a project, especially when considering flow time vs. cycle time. These measurements are great ways of tracking time throughout a project. However, when to use these respective measurements comes down to the stage of the project. Don’t fret, we’ll get you up to speed in no time. […]

Common cause vs. special cause variation, aren’t they the same thing? At first glance, you’d be allowed to think so. However, as with any part of the production cycle, there is a reason for these two measurements to exist. So, let’s dive right into what makes these variations different, and how to identify and benefit […]

When you know your process yield (percentage of a process that is free of defects), you can use this yield to sigma conversion table to easily determine your process sigma level, as well as your process defects per million opportunities.

Process time vs. cycle time is a discussion that comes up often for newcomers to Six Sigma. Understanding these principles and how they apply to your time management is vital. Failing to grasp these concepts can affect your bottom line negatively. What is Process Time? Process time describes the interval required for a product or […]

How are companies leading Agile teams? Agile is a methodology with quite a bit of buzz, thanks partly to its rapid adoption in software development. Primarily intended as a software development approach, Agile emphasizes the use of distinct phases that are meant to iterate upon one another. The approach itself has caught on […]

How is automation boosting productivity? If you’re even plugged in slightly to the news cycle, you likely have heard pundits espousing the benefits of automation. There are definite benefits to using automation to cut away the chaff and get your team focusing on the work that matters. However, there is also a fair […]

Takt Time vs. Cycle Time: when do you choose what to use? Regardless of your processes’ efficiency, you will have to measure the time eventually. Now, if you’re a new Six Sigma practitioner, you might be wondering about Takt Time vs. Cycle Time. Both of these metrics are important to understanding and refining your processes. […]

Data analysis is a fundamental process in any project. However, data can be lumped into different types, with categorical and continuous data seeming almost opposed at first glance. That said, mastering these data types and understanding when and where to use them can lead to far more precision during data analysis as a whole. What […]

What are the best tools for supporting change management? Change management is a principle that helps guide organizations and projects through periods of change. On the surface level, it is an entirely separate discipline from project management. That said, you’ll want the right tools to make the most of your efforts. The best […]

How do you enact lasting organizational change in a digital environment? Much of what is written about organizational change existed before the advent of the far-reaching digital transformation we’ve experienced in the last five years. However, you can still impact this concept by keeping pace with other organizations. Understanding the changing environment is […]

So what is the real difference when looking at Cpk and Sigma Level? If you’re new to Six Sigma, there is no shortage of acronyms and calculations to keep in mind as you work on your knowledge base. Both Cpk and Sigma Level are valuable tools when looking at your processes and production. So, let’s […]

Asking “Why?” may be a favorite technique of your 3-year-old child in driving you crazy, but it could teach you a valuable Six Sigma quality lesson. The 5 Whys is a technique used in the Analyze phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology. It is a great Six Sigma tool that […]

Throughout any project, you’re going to gather up quite a bit of data. Now, this can be broken down into two categories: variable and attribute data. Understanding the difference and learning how it is applicable during the analysis stage can be crucial for future decision-making. So, with that in mind, let’s take a deeper dive […]

How do you track change management initiatives? The modern business relies on data to guide many of its actions. However, when enacting something as wide or broad as change management this can be difficult. That said, you aren’t without recourse when looking at your change management initiatives. There are some ways to track […]

What are the top automation tools in use today? Automation is one of the hot buzzwords of modern business, but how it is implemented differs from industry to industry. There isn’t necessarily a universal approach to how an organization should use it to gain the best results. That said, some stellar tools can […]

Which industries benefit the most from automation? Automation is a hot topic in business, with many organizations opting to automate something. This is partly understandable, as you can simplify more grueling or tedious tasks by having them handled from the get-go. However, not every industry is suited to automation. Being aware of where […]

What change management models are in constant use today? Change management is one of the vital components needed for enacting lasting, viable change. However, it always helps to have a guideline or framework within which to operate, hence the need for models. That said, there is more than one way to approach change […]