It is important when implementing Six Sigma metrics to develop metrics where you are able to collect data in an accurate manner. One of the ways to make sure this occurs is to specify exactly what it is you wish to measure. If you wish to measure employee productivity at the hot dog stand, then you may want to time how long it takes for a person, on average to get through the line, order, and receive her order. If you wish to measure profits, you will require another set of specific data, which needs defining by the team members before implementing the Six Sigma metrics. It is understood that Six Sigma requires that data tracked be quantifiable. This is another reason that it is important to be sure your data is continuous rather than discrete. It is more likely that discrete data is not measurable, or that it will not provide the project management team with figures that are complete or accurate.
Another important and very useful aspect of Six Sigma metrics is that by tracking the progress, quality, and efficiency, project team members can see where to take action. If the productivity at a particular hot dog stand is very low (i.e. it takes a long time for customers to get through the line compared with other hot dog stands), then the appropriate action will modify this trend. Likewise, if the profit margin falls, appropriate actions like raising prices or lowering overhead costs correct the problem. Using Six Sigma metrics will allow you to know when to take action and when to sit back and relax.
Users of the Six Sigma system need to be able to collect the data as needed and only collect the data that pertains to the information needed for action. It would not be useful to track whether the customers wore black shoes or white shoes at our hot dog stand.
