Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a measurement, methodology and strategy to eliminate variations and defects from processes. For nonprofits, this can lead to faster service to consumers; serving more people; and, serving them more consistently.
Six Sigma Forum Magazine of the American Society for Quality has recognized our work by publishing our article "A Helping Hand" in the August 2010 issue.
Some results nonprofits have achieved through our Six Sigma program:
- No-shows down 20%, with productivity up 30%
- Defects reduced by 95%, with costs reduced $19,000
- Compliance rate doubled
- Number of people served doubled
- Number qualifying for assistance up 64%
- Cycle time reduction leading to revenue increase of $125,000
Forty nonprofits have participated in our Six Sigma program, through nine cohorts (group classes with accompanying projects):
Cohort #1 - Consumer Credit Counseling Service
Cohort #2 - Benedict House, Catholic Charities, Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, Food Bank of Western New York, Meals on Wheels for Western New York, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
Cohort #3 - Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, Buffalo Urban League, Compass House, Gateway-Longview, Hispanics United of Buffalo, Martin House Restoration Corporation, New Directions Youth and Family Services
Cohort #4 - Albright Knox Art Gallery, Baker Victory Services, Catholic Charities, Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Mid-Erie Counseling & Treatment Services, Spectrum Human Services
Cohort #5 - American Education Foundation, Buffalo Urban League, Community Concern of Western New York, Family Justice Center, Joan A. Male Family Support Center, King Urban Life Center, Upstate New York Transplant Services
Cohort #6 - Buffalo City Mission, Catholic Charities, Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council, People Inc., Salvation Army, University at Buffalo Career Services
Cohort #7- Amherst Youth Foundation, Catholic Charities, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lake Shore Behavioral Health, YWCA of Western New York
Cohort #8 - Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Girl Scouts of Western New York, Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, Hospice Buffalo, Jericho Road Ministries, Town of Clarence, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County
Cohort #9 - Catholic Charities, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Girl Scouts of WNY, Lt. Col. Matt Urban Center, Meals on Wheels for WNY, University at Buffalo Libraries, West Side Neighborhood Housing Services
Six Sigma classes are led by William J. Hill, Ph. D. Bill was formerly a director of Six Sigma at Honeywell, and the director of the Center for Quality and Productivity Improvement at the University of Wisconsin. In his retirement, Bill now volunteers through the United Way Not Profit Resource Center to help nonprofits implement Six Sigma projects.
Participating nonprofits select an improvement project within their organization, and a cross-functional project team. Up to five team members, from each nonprofit, then attend five classes, each four hours in length, approximately two weeks apart. Teams work on their projects during and between classes.
Contact us at nfprc@uwbec.org or 887-2757 for more information about future sessions. Our next informational session is March 1, 2012.
