Six Sigma in HR Transformation: Achieving Excellence in Service Delivery

In the business world, especially in manufacturing or quality management, the term Six Sigma usually refers to a set of tools and methodologies developed by Motorola to improve processes by eliminating defects. So why should the HR professional care what Six Sigma is or how it can be applied in the HR function? According to Orion Partners' specialists, there are ten key reasons:

• to create excellence in process delivery;
• to reduce defects;
• to increase efficiency;
• to create a quality focused mindset;
• to benefit from best practice;
• to bring clarity to the processes of HR;
• to use a structured scientific approach;
• to speak the same language and improve communication;
• to gain control over your processes;
• and to strengthen your business case.

Mircea Albeanu and Ian Hunter explain some of the basic concepts to show how applying Six Sigma tools and methodologies can be used to manage the practical challenges of improving HR operations to meet your organization's expectations at a lower cost and with greater efficiency. To help illustrate some of the key messages examples are drawn from Orion Partners' work using Six Sigma tools with international organizations over the last seven years.

This concise guide is ideal for project and programme managers involved in business transformation, and for HR managers as well as Six Sigma specialists seeking to understand its applications within human resources.

About the Author

Ian Hunter is a founding partner of Orion Partners and Mircea Albeanu is a consultant with Orion. Both are certified black belts in Six Sigma. Orion Partners specialises in providing independent advice to organizations considering transformation of their Human Resources department.