When a business commits to starting a Six Sigma project, it is a commitment of time, money and resources. Depending on the size of the project, the size of this comment may vary. Here are some steps you can take to see if Six Sigma is right for your small business.

The first thing you should do when you are considering starting a Six Sigma project is to try to identify where the problem is, and try to estimate how much you think it would cost to fix the problem. You should also try to estimate how long it would take to fix the problem. A Six Sigma project may not be the quickest or cheapest solution, and if you do not have the time then you may be better off with a Lean Six Sigma project, or not using Six Sigma at all.

So, can small businesses benefit from Six Sigma Projects? Yes, they can, but only with the right planning, preparation, and execution. Wait a minute, though. This doesn't only apply to small businesses. The principles of Six Sigma and how to effectively use it can apply to any business of any size, regardless of how big or little the problem might be. In the end, if it is affecting profits or customer satisfaction, it's always a big problem even when it is minor.

Using the information above, you can determine whether you're in a good place to take on Six Sigma Projects or not. If you are, then feel free to start training, planning, and gathering your resources to get your project underway. If you don't think that you're ready for Six Sigma Projects, consider trying out a Lean process first to see how it can benefit you. Many times, smaller organizations with fewer resources can find more benefits from the Lean Process because it is designed to be faster and more cost-effective than a traditional Six Sigma Process.

Smaller business usually don't have to deal with some of the personal issues that plague larger corporations. In larger corporations there is usually a greater resistance to change, and some employees may do anything they can to prevent a Six Sigma Project from being successful, because they have job security issues. Smaller businesses normally don't have these issues since there are less employees, and they are typically more committed to the success of the business. Six Sigma Projects can be very beneficial for small businesses, just as beneficial as they are to large businesses, as long as they are planned and executed properly.