Review of Minitab Colloque, Paris

On the 8th June 2006, over 100 delegates gathered at the Napoléon Hotel, Paris to participate in MINITAB's Colloque – a networking opportunity for companies using MINITAB statistical software for analysing data and improving their business processes. The atmosphere of the day was refreshingly pragmatic with the emphasis being on real life case studies: representatives from Air France, Toshiba, Ingram Micro, Motorola, Rexam, SAS Automotive, and expert speaker Professor Maurice Pillet from Université de Savoie each presented their own application of MINITAB and discussed the opportunities and challenges for deploying Six Sigma.

During the demonstration of the detailed application of Six Sigma tools within both Manufacturing and Service environments, I was especially interested to learn about the non cost-driven results: the industrial group Air France KLM have harnessed the common lexicon of Six Sigma to achieve synergy in their process management efforts across two very different organisations, whilst Toshiba used MINITAB to analyse data and improve performance within their Sales, Marketing, After Sales Service and Logistics functions. Safety is the most important driver for companies such SAS Automotive, a manufacturer of automotive components such as seats, exhaust systems and electronics, we heard: they have used Six Sigma to reduce variability in the performance of their passenger Air Bags using MINITAB to carry out hypothesis testing, regression analysis, continuous Reducibility & Repeatability tests, Design of Experiments and control charts. The graphical tools within MINITAB also allowed SAS to monitor improvements, and communicate a good approach to problem solving throughout the organisation.

The audience found the realistic application of tools within context of the DMAIC project roadmap extremely valuable, whilst the rather candid presentations gave insight into challenges faced which are, more often than not, absent from training manuals. "Information is widely available on the tools and techniques of Six Sigma, but how and when to apply them, is often missing", said one delegate. There were examples and graphical displays of Control Charts, Capability Analysis, Pareto Charts, Box Plots, ANOVA, Regression Analysis, two sample T-tests, plus more. The group discussions around the presentations highlighted these challenges; is not the understanding of what the tool does or how to use it, but their correct application and the soft issues surrounding the tools - defining and scoping the project, for instance. "This was a great opportunity to meet the MINITAB team, but the subjects that were covered were absolutely interesting as we could see how industry applied statistics into their daily activities and projects" said Nicolas Labbe, Starters Division Electrical Engineering Manager at Valeo Electrical Systems.

The graphical representation of improvements which have been implemented through statistical analysis of process performance can be extremely powerful, especially for gaining the attention of senior management. MINITAB Statistical Software demonstrated its synergy with Six Sigma and other quality projects; from Statistical Process Control to Design of Experiments, all the methods you need to implement each phase of the chosen methodology are available and there are features like StatGuide and ReportPad which help the user to understand and communicate the results found.

Mid-event, the audience was witness to an exclusive preview to the upcoming second release for MINITAB's Quality Companion, presented in a very fitting 'non sales' manner by MINITAB's own Technical Training Specialist Robert Collis. The Quality Companion is a dynamic project management solution, and an effective tool for managing the soft side of Six Sigma. Version 2 compliments MINITAB release 15 by providing information and templates for all of the non statistical tools such as brainstorming, as well as guidance and file depository for the preparation of data and conclusions for tools such as hypothesis testing, Gage R&R and Control Charts. The product on first glance has a distinctively similar look and feel to Outlook: the colours scheme most obviously, however the recognisable tree structure on the left hand side of the screen provides easy navigation around the management files and DMAIC roadmap. The DMAIC roadmap provides the backbone to the Quality Companion and outlines each step of the project with links to relevant tools available.

Overall, this proved to be a truly valuable event for all involved: with more than 100 of some of the biggest leaders of process improvement initiatives in France gathered in one venue, even without the high quality case study presentations, delegates would have gone home with useful tips or tricks, or simply a better insight and understanding of how others have applied statistics to their organisations. The event also will have made great progress towards widening the application of Six Sigma in France, where this kind of face to face platform has been non-existent to date.

onesixsigma.com are delighted to be working with MINITAB to ensure this network continues to develop in France, and have established a networking group who meet regularly to discuss and share experience on deploying Six Sigma in France.

If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Sophie Smiles on Sophie.smiles@onesixsigma.com or call +44 (0) 7989 979 238