Six Sigma Control Plan

The Fifth Step – Control

A Six Sigma project is not complete, until you create and execute a control plan.

During this fifth step, you need to:

1. Identify the critical process or product characteristics you need to track
2. Determine the specific metrics which will flag the process or product as out of control
3. Design the methods you will use to collect relevant measurements
4. Develop a reaction plan articulating what will happen if the process or product gets out of control
5. Transition ownership of the control plan from the Six Sigma project team to the owner of the process

A control plan is designed to ensure the changes implemented during the improve step become the new normal. If adjustments are needed, as changes are rarely perfect, then a structure is in place to react as appropriate.

While much is expected from a control plan, it does not replace the need for documentation such as standard operating procedures, work instructions, quality specifications, and preventive maintenance requirements.

Enough about what a control plan is not. Explore the five requirements listed above in the rest of the article, by Mike Loughrin, at: Six Sigma Control Plan.