Developing and measuring training the six sigma way

Developing and measuring training the six sigma way - Kaliym Islam - Pfeiffer 078985333

Stumbling on a post in the flashforlearning.com blog, we decided to give this book a try. We have looked at some lean techniques in the past and thought it might be interesting.

For the uninitiated, six sigma is a tool box of management and problem solving techniques and methodologies. Original developed by Motorola engineers for product development, it is now used by most large corporations worldwide (Ford, Toyota et al) with the goal of zero defects. Some of the higher concepts involve complex spreadsheets and mathematical calculations but this book makes use of the problem solving and group techniques.

There are two critical concepts in six sigma VOB “ The voice of the business” What is good for the business overall, and VOC “ The voice of the customer. In six sigma, everything begins and ends with the customer.

So how on earth you say, does this relate to training when most lean text books are about car plants or factories? Pretty early on, the author points out that when we design training, we are designing a product for other to consume so why shouldn’t production techniques apply.

Once you have this straight in your mind the book is an exceptional and enlightening read.

The author makes pretty short work of demolishing Kirkpatrick, traditional ISD & ADDIE methodologies for one simple reason - None of them address either the VOB or the VOC. Nowhere in Kirkpatrick’s work does it make mention of what is good for the business.

The author holds our hand through the development of a sample project and each chapter with what we will discuss the appropriate six sigma tools and what the required outcome will be.

It should be added that this sort of methodology will mean A LOT of work and is perhaps only suitable for large projects as the discipline required to keep to the schedule and requirements (as the author admits) is onerous.

However, having done all this work, of course, the outcome is that the training will meet the requirements, no questions at all “ zero defects”

The book concludes with a case study of six sigma design in a learning setting.

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[tags] training evaluation, ADDIE, kirkpatrick, six sigma, book review [/tags]

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