Management of six sigma (6σ) methodologies in the Office of Administrative Services of Asian Development Bank: A benchmark of quality service and sustainable excellence

• Main Author: Garcia, Gregg R.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2013
• Subjects: Six sigma (Quality control standard); Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/6177
• Institution: De La Salle University

The purpose of this study was to explore the present situation of administrative services in the Printing Unit of ADB to provide insights on the methodologies of Six Sigma as a productivity tool. Specifically, the study attempted to answer the problems on how relevant is the Six Sigma utilization to the administrative processes of the Printing Unit of ADB as to its contribution to the vision and mission of ADB, the goals and objectives of the Printing Unit, efficiency and effectiveness, timely delivery of printing services, coordination and teamwork, implementation of projects, economical use of resources, and cost reduction. It also asked on the significant effects of Six Sigma in the provision of printing services and on significance of effect of Six Sigma in the overall efficiency of printing services, and probe on the problems encountered in the use of Six Sigma and its applicability to government agencies, instrumentalities, public enterprises and state colleges and universities. The respondents showed that the overall rating of the ADB staff on the effectiveness of Six Sigma in the efficiency of ADB's printing services was favorable. Among the category, respondents in the 15-20 years of service has the lowest satisfactory rating, but still considered a positive perception about the effectiveness of Six Sigma. Overall, the satisfaction rating of the respondents in all questions, the rate was relatively good and that there is no significant difference between the rating of the regular and contractor staff. Evaluating the satisfaction rating of respondents both in terms of gender and age yielded an agreement that Six Sigma is highly relevant to the goal and objectives of the ADB's Printing Unit. A significant number of respondents by type of staff, etc. encountered two major problems for Six Sigma, these are (1) their current workload prevents them to study the application and (2) new learning/technology. Public organizations with many various agencies / departments related to education, defense, trade, finance, justice, tourism, budget and management, transport, public works etc., can benchmark and use the best practices in ADB and replicated over time. A corresponding budget had to be allocated though each year for training. Improvement of government practices has long been a goal of many politicians and officials. New thinking has proven that the government can benefit from Six Sigma methodologies. Six Sigma will help streamline and solve many of the issues necessary to do business daily. All local and national government can implement Six Sigma to improve customer service and increase government effectiveness. Although Six Sigma has its roots in the private sector manufacturing, it works just as effectively in government instrumentalities and it will reap the same benefits. Many of the top private companies have produced excellent results with Six Sigma, cuttting costs, increasing profits, and improving customer service. Governments just like ADB, are not looking for profit margin, they still should have the motivation to reduce their costs and reduce the inefficiency that causes cost overrruns. Any government institution is a service organization and its customers are the citizens it serves. Six Sigma achieves documented strategic business results by initiating an organization-wide culture and paradigm shift. In short, no more "business as usual".