For our recent MIX event we installed a presentation titled, Optimized Development along one of our corridors.  It’s a graphic representation of how we use our processes and our people in helping our clients achieve their goals of getting their products to market quickly and safely. 

Our 30 ft long graphic shows how Ximedica integrates the Six Sigma tools and methodologies along with traditional product development tools into Ximedica’s Product Development Process.   We have created this comprehensive approach to product development because we have found that it helps our clients achieve improved customer satisfaction.

Six Sigma is a methodology and set of tools designed to minimize variability and increase quality.   It is applicable in many parts of many businesses, such as during product development, to business operations, as well as during production.   When a Six Sigma approach is implemented at the beginning of product development, it ensures that customer needs are embedded in the development from the beginning.  A Six Sigma process literally means a process that limits defect opportunities to 3.4 defects per million opportunities.  This can be translated into the assurance that customer needs will be met 99.99966% of the time.  Not all processes should be six sigma processes, as implementing a control system like this can be very expensive and time consuming.  The decision is typically made by balancing investment with risk.   One possible approach is to use individual Six Sigma tools during development, no matter what the sigma (error) level is chosen to be.  This provides a level of flexibility that allows us to maintain a high level of quality assurance, but allows our projects to move towards market faster. 

Also included in our graphic is the XimdedicaBOK (“Body of Knowledge”).  Ximedica recently performed an in-house survey of our employee’s knowledge and skills to understand and catalogue our capabilities with respect to over 150 product development tools.  We also identified who in the organization is able to train others in house on each tool.  This will help us plan training for the future.   During the survey about 50 new tools were identified in addition to the original list.  All have been categorized and arranged by development phase for internal reference, but are also beautifully arranged across our process graphic.