Defining a Project Problem Statement
The next step in the Six Sigma journey is to have a clearly defined problem statement that will guide the team throughout the execution of the project. Here are a few tips which give us an insight into how a project problem statement must be developed.
What is a Problem ?
As per a laymans definition a problem is a difference between the expected state of affairs and the actual state of affairs. In organizations problems can come in many forms and can have many causes. In fact most of the times problems are hidden and what we think of as problems are only symptoms of the problem.
The Problem with Problems
While it may sound fairly simple that there is a business problem that needs to be solved, in reality it is not so. This is because business problems have various dimensions and people tend to interpret some of these dimensions separately. The common problems that occur because the problem was not accurately understood in the first place are as follows:
Convert Your Regular Problem to a Six Sigma Problem
To prevent this problem from happening, a regular problem must be converted to a Six Sigma Problem. The Six Sigma Problem, like the regular problem is a difference between the desired and actual state of affairs. However, it answers some questions explicitly and leaves no room for ambiguity. The questions that are normally answered are as follows:
This Six Sigma problem provides a concrete goal statement to the project execution team that can be worked upon. An example will make the contrast between a normal problem and a six sigma defined problem statement more clear.
Example
Normal Problem: Employees usually turn in late to work causing loss in productivity.
Six Sigma Problem: At the New Jersey factory, 45% of the employees report to work within 15 minutes after the time that they were supposed to report to during the beginning of the shift causing a fall in daily productivity by 5%.
Related Articles
- Deliverables at the end of Define Phase
- Step 1: Collect and Review Information
- Step 2: Defining a Scope for Your Project
- Goal Statement & Problem Statement
- Tips for Writing Effective Statements

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