Primary metric for six sigma projects is the direct output characteristics of a process. It is something Six Sigma practitioners directly influence and it is used to measure project success. Like Highlander, “there is only one” and defect rates, first-time yield, and process time are some examples.
Three benefits of using a primary metric
The primary metric for six sigma projects practitioners can directly measure the output of processes, which provides many benefits as they strive to improve their processes.
1. It makes the whole process objective.
It’s much easier to assess how efficient the process is and whether it meets customer requirements by assigning a numerical system to monitor it. This eliminates any ambiguity in vague customer requirements like “good quality.”
2. It allows you to create a goal for improvement
If the process’s numbers are not meeting customer expectations, it can be used to set a target for what must be done to achieve those goals. Six Sigma primary metric improvement goal can be expressed in numbers to make it clearer what needs to happen to get the process to where it should be.
3. It allows for feedback loops
Once the ideal state is established, the primary metric will be used to determine if the process is reaching that goal. If the numbers are positive, there is no need to make any changes. If the numbers are below target, it is necessary to adjust the process to ensure that the process continues as planned.
What is the importance of a primary metric?
It is important to know the basics of the primary metric that is used to measure success in a project.
This sets the stage for a successful venture.
It’s hard to plan how to improve a poor-performing process if you don’t fully understand the process. It is crucial to understand the primary metric in order to run a project that improves the process.
A prime metric example from an industry
Let’s suppose you are in the inks industry and need to batch liquid colors for screen printing applications. A lot of materials go into making an ink batch. If the batch is not mixed correctly, there are rework and scrap costs involved with fixing it or making another one.
These batches must be made correctly the first time. How do you know how your plant is performing? Because it measures quality and production performance, first pass yield is often used as a primary metric within the manufacturing industry.
Many stakeholders depend on the primary metric.
All business leaders, from line workers to business leaders, can use data associated with the primary measure to determine baseline and ideal-state performance. This is essential to ensure everyone understands the process and can refer to it in the same way.
Many metrics can be used to measure a process.
There can be multiple metrics that are associated with a process. It is important to know which one is primary and which one secondary . It is the metric that ultimately determines if a process meets customer requirements and measures the effectiveness of improvement efforts.
