1.2 Identify Project and Organize Team
Six Sigma provides a product development team with the tools to improve design capability. The first step in the robust design process is to identify the project (Figure 1-1) and organize a team. This section shows how to develop the project-selection criteria and successful project characteristics.
Figure 1-1 Identify a robust design project.
As with any project, effective planning and selection of the right team can make the difference between success and failure. Project selection should be based on the potential for increasing customer satisfaction, increasing reliability, incorporating new technology, reducing cost, reducing warranty service, and achieving best-in-class.
The characteristics of a successful project are (1) a clear objective, including the desired outcome; and (2) a cross-functional team that includes suppliers, thorough planning, and management support. Management sponsorship and support is critical for team success. Management's role is to provide necessary resources, empower the team, and remove ob- stacles to progress.