Growing a more sustainable business goes hand-in hand-with the Six Sigma ideology of reducing waste and being more effective and efficient with all organizational processes and materials. With this in mind, it becomes much easier to realize that Six Sigma strategies can be a strong tool to help companies reach more aggressive triple bottom line performance goals.

The familiar DMAIC project guidelines can support sustainable improvement across a number of measurable goals. Let’s take a look at a few examples.

Define

Six Sigma takes internal and external stakeholder needs into account. Setting up projects that have clearly defined goals can support sustainable business practices in many ways, from tracking the performance of an adjustment, to improving supply chain processes, to monitoring the quality of a product using more “green” materials. Well-planned projects create the data needed to compel leaders to extend triple bottom line considerations and to continually monitor those practices currently in place.

Six Sigma SustainabilityMeasure

The metrics available for Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma applications are constantly improving, becoming more precise and distinct in day-to-day business applications. This means that the data collected can help a company make more precise adjustments where needed. Metrics can be used to isolate and study the efficiency and effectiveness of a company’s supply chain which can elucidate hidden redundancy and waste that can be trimmed as the project moves forward, improving sustainability and increasing productivity.

Analyze

For companies looking to leverage a competitive edge by implementing more sustainable products and processes, analyzing data carefully can uncover many of the core challenges that must be overcome in order to reach maximum performance goals. Analysis of data may also reveal that the focus of a project needs to shift or additional metrics are needed to tease out the root causes of process inefficiency. Six Sigma methodologies are scalable and flexible, allowing leaders to use the tools to analyze the data needed to help meet triple bottom line goals.

Improve

Material and product development are always changing as companies strive to reach sustainability goals and secure the support of clients and customers who are more discerning than ever before. In order to best utilize newer materials, continual improvement of production methods is a fact of modern day product development. Along with improving supply chain accountability, Six Sigma can also provide the assurances that customers desire as the trend for increased corporate responsibility expands across industry.

Control

Many organizational processes overlap and support one another. Making core adjustments to support sustainability goals can have a ripple effect throughout the organization. Powerful data yields new questions and inspires additional goals. Controlling future process performance requires an ongoing conversation about the actions that teams across organizational divisions must agree to as the company moves forward.

Six Sigma strategies are complementary to the goals of achieving stronger triple bottom line results. As consumers and clients continue to demand corporate transparency, projects utilizing the Six Sigma approach can add an extra layer of confidence to boost client interest and support. With its focus on continual improvement, Six Sigma can help leaders motivate teams to build and meet goals that provide the positive forward momentum companies need to remain relevant in today’s competitive marketplace.

Share your ideas on how DMAIC can help support the triple bottom line. Leave us a comment below!