It is almost impossible to run a successful Six Sigma Project without completing a formal Six Sigma Training program. Even if you were foolish enough to think that you could simply read some literature, and be able to understand and implement Six Sigma, you would end up wasting time and money. It takes more then Six Sigma training to make a successful Six Sigma project manager though.

As a Six Sigma project manager you must be deeply committed to the success of your project, no matter how difficult running the project may be. Your company is investing a significant amount of time and money into this Six Sigma project, and it expects a successful project that improves the business as a return on this investment. As the Six Sigma project manager, the responsibility to deliver a successful project falls on your shoulders, so you need to be able to handle anything that comes up during the project, including employee resistance, completing difficult assignments, and the stress of managing all aspects of the project.

After you start your Six Sigma project, you should identify other employees, whether they are part of the project team or not, who are obviously committed to the success of the project, to act as change agents for your project. There may be employees in your company that may fear that the changes that are going to be enacted as a result of this project may result in a reduction in the number of employees the company needs, which would lead to their termination. You can use your change agents to talk to these employees, and reassure them that their job are secure, and that the project is good for everyone.

The more employees you have in your company, the greater the odds are that you will encounter resistance to your Six Sigma project. Again, this is where your communication and inter-personal skills are important to your success as a Six Sigma project manager.

Formal Six Sigma training is critical if you are going to implement Six Sigma in your business, but it is not the only important factor in running a successful Six Sigma project. Six Sigma projects can be very stressful, and difficult, and if you are going to run a Six Sigma project you need to make sure that in addition to Six Sigma training, you have the patience, determination and communication skills necessary to be a successful project leader.