Well, if the experts are to be believed, then all businesses need to do is concentrate on the basics i.e. training, change management, and peer support and guidance. For better understanding, let us discuss each one of these individually.

Theoretical and Practical Training

Although only the most talented and skilled employees are inducted into the Six Sigma implementation team, businesses still need to provide theoretical and practical training. Six Sigma concepts, tools, and techniques that are utilized during the implementations are quite different and as such it's highly unlikely that team members will be aware of these, especially if it's the first time the business is implementing Six Sigma.

However, since mere technical knowledge is often not enough, businesses also need to provide some form of practical training before actually initiating the implementation process.

Change Management

Employees, who are inducted into the Six Sigma implementation team, often have to shoulder additional responsibilities. This may not be a problem for all members, but it has been noticed that a significant percentage of team members just fail to work properly in the new setup. The main reason for this is usually the human psyche, which naturally resists change.

So, how can businesses solve this problem? Well, the problem is certainly tough, but not completely unsolvable. What businesses need to do is just initiate a change management program for the benefit of the implementation team members. The program should lay stress on getting the communications right, getting regular feedbacks and opinions from team members, teaching time management, and of course providing change management training.

For best results, businesses can also instruct the HR department to conduct personal interview sessions involving team members who might be finding it difficult to cope up with the new challenges.

Peer Support and Guidance

A business may have provided the right training and successfully completed the vital task of managing change, but it still cannot guarantee anything because there still remains the issue of peer support and guidance. Team members need continuous support and guidance from the senior management because it is only then will they feel confident in taking vital decisions on their own. As opposed to these, if there is no proper support, team members will not be able take timely decisions due to fear of the potential consequences. Regular support and guidance is necessary also because it is only the senior management that can sanction men and material as and when needed without affecting the day-to-day functioning of the organization. In effect, it's only with regular support and guidance, will the team members be able to complete the Six Sigma implementations within the planned period and allocated budget.

By concentrating its efforts on these basics, businesses can easily derive the best possible performance from Six Sigma implementation team members. Achieving Six Sigma quality levels and maximum efficiency will then no longer be an issue.