The Voice of the Business in Six Sigma

Last Updated on 13 September 2023

Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven method for reducing errors and enhancing a business’s capacity. One essential component many overlook is the ‘Voice of the Business‘ or VOB. This is the organization’s goals and objectives, as you want your project’s goals to be in line with the organization’s goals. It acts as the measure of the business’s performance and measures key elements such as:

• Operational efficiency
• Financial performance
• Strategic business goals

These aspects are primarily understood through performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Integrating into your project

Here are a few steps to integrate the ‘Voice of the Business’ into Six Sigma:

1. Identify Strategic Goals: Identify the fundamental objectives of the company. What does the organization aim to achieve? These should serve as the basis for your VOB.
2. Establish Performance Metrics: Define your KPIs. KPIs should be measurable, actionable, relevant, and timely (SMART) to ensure that they can accurately guide your business decisions.
3. Monitor Performance: Regularly check these KPIs to see if you’re on track. Make adjustments as needed.
4. Take Action: Based on the insights from your performance metrics, act upon the areas that need improvement.

Conclusion

The ‘Voice of the Business’ in Six Sigma is an invaluable tool that allows a business’s operational strategy to be formed around data-driven insights. By incorporating it alongside the ‘Voice of the Customer‘, one can ensure that the organization is not just producing quality outputs but also realigning its strategic objectives to continually improve and grow.

Remember, the ultimate goal is to develop a culture where quality is woven into the very fabric of the organization. This culture is best cultivated when the organization not only listens but effectively responses to the ‘Voice of the Business’.