Additionally slow implementation, Six Sigma training and over-training, and marginalizing non-belt performance improvement activities after months of Six Sigma deployments are causes of concern. As an option, using Workout combined with Six Sigma focuses on providing the know how to those groups of employees who are least exposed to the Six Sigma tools and concept, but are the base of that process.

Under Jack Welsh at GE, Workout as a business improvement methodology was born. The difference between TQM and Workout was the speed to action wherein TQM stressed on study before acting, while workout endorsed action on reaching a consensus on a simple solution.

The tools of workout are easy to understand, simple and ready to use tools for those with the understanding about the problem in contrast to the tools requiring analytical experience. The participants can express their opinion openly but have to give personal commitment of acting upon it.

Combining Six Sigma and Workout

Six Sigma has the ability to absorb new ideas and methods. The combination of Six Sigma and workout is gaining popularity as organizations look at handling the change management challenges of Six Sigma deployment. The Six Sigma approach is fact-based while making decisions about the processes, and considers the logic and data analysis to overcome the hurdles to change.

Workout is a psychological approach to change, which considers the human nature of need to be heard, valued by those in power and to be rewarded for making things better. For the managers and employees who are not a part of the core Six Sigma group, the incentive to change is the opportunity to put their ideas into practice for improving results.

Workout provides them with this opportunity by giving all employees a controlled format for translating ideas into action. This helps achieve results and reduce the cycle time of achieving the involvement of all in the Six Sigma culture.

Successful Integration

Integration of Six Sigma and workout is not difficult, but requires assigning of roles and responsibilities effectively. The keys to making it effective are listed here:

Workout as an Integral Part of Six Sigma

The combination of achieving perfection in process performance and the ideas of speed and self-confidence seems odd to come into being. It is necessary to decide the places where speed and simplicity and initiative can be fruitful and where they may be risky.

Workout Tools for Complex Problem Resolution

Workout tools such as idea prioritization, brainstorming and action plan development are useful in making improvements in processes with more than 5% defect rate. By deploying the workout teams on these areas, the Black belts can concentrate on the resolution of systemic problems.

Deployment with Acceleration

Deployment with the help of a workout team is useful, particularly when people will have to change their daily routine. Workout teams will help engage those people who will have to live with the solution.

Engaging Leaders

Workout events also help align the leadership with the priorities of Six Sigma deployment. This high level workout can sort out the problems of assigning resources on priority. It helps avoid discrepancy in matching problems to the tools.

Companies who are reluctant to implement Six Sigma can opt for workout to ramp up their process deployments and ensure employee engagement.