| Six Sigma has become one of the most commonly | | | | tool, it must be used in the right manner and |
| used quality management techniques since its | | | | only in appropriate business processes. If |
| introduction in the 1990's. The importance of | | | | the necessary information is not inputted |
| Six Sigma has continued to increase ever | | | | correctly, the computerized simulation model |
| since companies like GE began implementing | | | | will not be able to predict the effect of |
| it's various concepts and techniques in their | | | | changes made in the business process. This |
| business processes. This has helped the | | | | can seriously affect the quality of end |
| company in saving billions of dollars since | | | | products if such changes are implemented in |
| the time when the concepts were first | | | | the real process. Process simulation is most |
| implemented. | | | | effective when a business process is |
| | | | complicated and difficult to visualize. For |
| The Simulation Process | | | | less complicated processes, it is better to |
| | | | use process mapping in combination with |
| Process simulation is one of the various | | | | brainstorming techniques for generating |
| techniques used in Six Sigma, involving the | | | | innovative quality improvement ideas. Process |
| use of a computerized model of an actual | | | | simulation is helpful in simulating business |
| business process. The computerized model used | | | | processes that require managers to make |
| in process simulation is designed by | | | | informed decision at every stage of the |
| inputting all the critical components of a | | | | process. Process simulation is used for |
| business process such as process inputs, | | | | improving the logistics of a manufacturing |
| process flow, and the various sub-systems | | | | company by mapping the exact flow of |
| used in the process. With the help of the | | | | materials from the time they enter the |
| computerized process simulation model, | | | | factory floor to the time when they reach the |
| process managers can easily view the whole | | | | final consumer in the form of finished goods. |
| process within a few minutes that would have | | | | |
| normally taken days or even weeks to complete | | | | Risks And Drawbacks |
| in the real world. Process simulation helps | | | | |
| in collecting large data samples, which can | | | | Although process simulation is very |
| be further analyzed and used for predicting | | | | beneficial, it can also create problems for |
| the effects of changes made in real business | | | | an organization if not used properly. |
| processes. This allows analysts to simulate | | | | Companies very often make the mistake of |
| all the possible changes that can be made in | | | | employing process simulation in every |
| a business process and analyzing the effect | | | | business process in the hope of improving |
| of such changes on the end result. Changes | | | | quality. This can create confusion among the |
| that are most helpful in improving the | | | | employees, especially when the company and |
| quality can be selected and put through more | | | | its workforce are new to the concepts and |
| rigorous simulation processes for confirming | | | | philosophies of Six Sigma. If a process is |
| the potential benefits of such changes. Once | | | | too long and involves various sub-processes, |
| this is done, the changes can be applied in | | | | it is better to concentrate on sub-processes |
| the real process as by now it is quite | | | | that affect the quality of the end product. |
| certain that the changes will be successful | | | | Companies often try to simulate the whole |
| in improving the quality of goods | | | | process, which leads to the wastage of both |
| manufactured or services rendered. | | | | time and effort. For realizing the full |
| | | | potential of process simulation, |
| When And Where To Use | | | | organizations need to simulate only on those |
| | | | processes that are critical to the quality of |
| Although process simulation is a powerful | | | | goods manufactured or services rendered. |