Six Sigma is a process improvement program that uses data and statistical tools to identify
and reduce variation in a process. The results of using this methodology can include
increased productivity, decreased defects, cost reduction and improved customer
satisfaction.
The City of Fort Wayne, Indiana has embraced Six Sigma to enhance the processes and
services that the City provides its residents. The City areas that employ Six Sigma include
the Water Filtration Plant, the Water Pollution Control Plant, Police, Fire, Parks and
Recreation, Street and the Solid Waste Departments.
Utility related projects have included the areas of drinking water production and
distribution and wastewater treatment and collection. Drinking water production projects
have included improvements to the lime slaker feed processes and the chlorine dioxide
generation efficiency and reductions to secondary turbidity and reduced sprain and strain
injuries. Wastewater treatment projects have included improvements to the waste activated
sludge processes. Wastewater collection improvements have included catch basin and inlet
cleaning efficiencies. A drinking water distribution improvement has included a
significant reduction in the unit costs associated with water main replacement projects.
The reduction in unit costs for water main replacement projects demonstrates how Six
Sigma could add to the business case for infrastructure renewals. Conventional wisdom
was tested with surprising results. The analysis
examined several interrelations such as project size, cooperation with transportation
projects, bidding season, project size and the use of engineering consultants for design.
The Six Sigma processes demonstrated the validity or lack thereof of previously held
beliefs regarding these relationships.
This article presents an introduction to Six Sigma and describes utility areas it has
benefited the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Further details are then presented to
demonstrate how a Six Sigma project has added to the business case for drinking water
distribution infrastructure renewal. Includes 4 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 330 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 15 |
| Published : | 06/17/2004 |
