In this page, we offer you a variety of project management documents that will make your day-to-day operations easier. If you value attention to detail and effective time management, these documents will offer a framework by which to get things done more efficiently with reduced possibility for costly errors and re-work. As we’re firm believers in the Six Sigma methodology, these have been organized per their DMAIC phase.
Define
Communication Plan – Use this simple document to effectively keep track of communication within your team.
Meeting Evaluation – This tool is used to evaluate the the effectiveness of team meetings. This allows teams to use that feedback to adjust elements such as time management, participation and progress. It provides structure and can be adjusted to suit the team.
Pose-Answer – Pose & Answer is a technique to consider potential barriers to change and address them before they surface. The template outlines typical questions to consider before developing Stakeholder Communication Plans.
Project Charter – The Project Charter is a living document that outlines a process improvement project for both the team as well as leadership. Teams use the charter to clarify the process issue being addressed, the reason for addressing it and what “success” looks like for those working on it. It’s also used to clarify what’s not being addressed. It is the first step in a Lean Six Sigma project, and therefore takes place in the Define Phase of DMAIC. The Project Charter is periodically reviewed and refined throughout the project.
RACI Matrix– A RACI Matrix is a powerful tool that helps increase accountability for a project. RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. It provides structure and clarity to projects by listing action items, responsible people and follow-up items.
More free tools to come soon!
Measure
Data Collection – This is a well thought out approach to collecting both baseline data as well as data that can provide clues to root cause. The plan includes where to collect data, how to collect it, when to collect it and who will do the collecting. This plan is prepared for each measure and includes helpful details such as the operational definition of the measure as well as any sampling plans.
Matching X – Y Measures – Matching X & Y Measures is a template that illustrates which input and process “X” measures impact the “Y” or output measure. This helps when determining what data to collect to uncover the critical “X” Measures. This is related to the equation: Y = ƒ(x1, x2, x3…) when searching for root cause.
Process Walk Interview Sheet – The Process Walk Interview Sheet is a simple data collection form, designed for transactional processes. It is used to ask pertinent questions during a Process Walk.
More free tools to come soon!
Analyze
5 Whys – 5 Whys is a simple but effective method of analyzing and solving problems by asking “why” five times, or as many times as needed, in order to move past symptoms and determine root cause. This approach is used in tandem with Cause-and-Effect or Fishbone Diagrams.
Fishbone Diagram – A Fishbone Diagram is a structured brainstorming tool designed to assist improvement teams in coming up with potential root causes for an undesirable effect. Its name derives from its resemblance to the bones of a fish. It is also known as a Cause and Effect Diagram or an Ishikawa Diagram after its creator. This tool is often used with the above 5 Whys.
Hypothesis Testing Plan – The Hypothesis Testing Plan provides an analysis framework for verifying root causes. The plan involves documenting potential root causes, creating underlying hypothesis statements, selecting the best hypothesis tests for the situation and recording the results of each test.
More free tools to come soon!
Improve
5S Manufacturing Assessment – The 5S Manufacturing Assessment is a tool to determine whether or not the standards of 5S (Sort, Set-in-Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain) are being met in a physical manufacturing environment. The types of conditions being monitored would include whether there were unused parts in the work space or whether or not people knew where tools and equipment belonged, etc. Once conditions are assessed, the areas that miss the 5S standards would be addressed.
More free tools to come soon!
Control
Executive Summary – The Executive Summary is an overview of a Lean Six Sigma project for leadership review which highlights the resulting improvements. This one-page template summarizes the original business case, the project goal, a list of findings/improvements and a tally of the total project gains. The results featured are a mix of increased revenue, decreased costs, decreased cycle time, decreased waste, increased customer satisfaction, etc.. This summary is customarily the first page of either a Storyboard or an Executive Report of a completed improvement project.