Six Sigma instrumental in improving CMU processes

CBA faculty participate in Six Sigma initiative with Dow Chemical

A unique Central Michigan University-Dow Chemical Six Sigma initiative will train College of Business Administration faculty in the Six Sigma process improvement paradigm. The initiative will incorporate Six Sigma into undergraduate and graduate curricula, and, at the same time, become a way of improving operations on CMU’s campus.

The Six Sigma process began last summer when 11 CMU faculty members participated with Dow Chemical employees in Dow’s global Six Sigma Black Belt training in Houston, Texas. The training, plus the completion of an on-campus project guided by a Dow Chemical Master Black Belt, will result in Black Belt certification for the faculty members. JoAnn Linrud, interim associate dean, was among the CMU trainees.

“It was fun and interesting and lots of work,” Linrud said. “The thing that makes this unique is that in addition to offering Six Sigma classes like other universities do, we are using our training at the university to improve operational processes. Our faculty are being trained on a larger scope than I’ve heard of at other universities.”

Intense training sessions
promote active learning

During the four-week training period – one week each in May, June, July, and August – Linrud and the other faculty members employed statistical analysis and other tools to measure and improve an organization’s operations and “sustain the gains.” They worked in sessions that involved active learning, case studies, and small group decision-making. At night they engaged in fun, team-building activities such as karaoke and building a go-cart.

“It was a wonderful approach. They clearly had given a lot of thought to the training and content, and they used current instructional methods,” Linrud said.

Practical improvements in store for CBA

Earning a Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate includes conducting a Six Sigma project. Linrud’s project is intended to improve security at the Student Activity Center.

“On a busy day during a regular semester, the SAC gets between four and five thousand visitors. It’s hard to ensure safety, but it’s a high priority for CMU,” Linrud said.

Her team of SAC and university recreation staff has been gathering and analyzing data and approaching the problem by understanding the process by which visitors are admitted, how the entry staff function in their roles, and working step-by-step to determine influences, inputs, and outputs.

“I’m pleased we were chosen to work on a project because what we’ve come up with has been very interesting, and right now we are at the improvement stage,” said Donald Stabenow, associate director of university recreation. “JoAnn has done an excellent job leading us.”

From the left, Student Activity Center staff members Jennifer Miracle and Cara McFadden, CBA Interim Associate Dean JoAnn Linrud, Associate Director of University Recreation Donald Stabenow, and student Ryan Obsniuk work as a Six Sigma team to improve security at the SAC.