Companies that use technology to support their Six Sigma systems do better at controlling their defect rates, according to new research.“The Lean Six Sigma Benchmark Report,” a survey performed by the Aberdeen Group, found that data collection and the standardized use of information technology are common problems for organizations with Six Sigma programs, though just 19 percent of respondents reported the implementation of automated data-collection systems. Just 27 percent of respondents reported the deployment of organizationwide IT solutions to minimize IT problems.

“Everyone in the Six Sigma community is familiar with the importance of training and using the right tools and good leadership,” says Evan Miller, Hertzler Systems Inc. president and CEO. “But this report shows that when you need to develop a data-driven culture, it is absolutely critical that your people have easy access to reliable, clean, actionable data in real time. All the training in the world won’t make you data-driven if your best people can’t get their hands on the data.”

 …