10 Six Sigma Templates You Can Download

The use of charts and diagrams to measure data and illustrate concepts is an important part of Six Sigma methodology. However, if you’re not careful, you can find yourself spending more time trying to develop these visual representations than working on the actual project. With that in mind, we’re offering several free Six Sigma templates in the Bright Hub Project Management Media Gallery that you can download and adapt to your own individual project needs.

Fishbone diagrams are often constructed to represent the outcome of a team brainstorming session. They are also known as Cause and Effect diagrams or Ishikawa diagrams. For more information on how to use a Fishbone diagram, take a look at this article from Vand

The following variations of Fishbone diagram templates have been added to the Project Management Media Gallery. You are welcome to download these or any of the other Six Sigma templates found in the gallery.

• Microsoft Excel 2007 Fishbone Diagram for the 6 Ms – This Excel 2007 template has been formulated around the 6M variation of the Fishbone diagram and includes categories for Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Man, and Management. It is one primarily used by manufacturing industries.
• Microsoft Publisher 2007 Fishbone Diagram for the 6 Ms – Like the Excel 2007 version, this Microsoft Publisher template focuses on categories that are predominantly used by manufacturing industries.
• Microsoft Publisher 2007 Fishbone Diagram for the 4 Ps – This template is a slight variation from the previous Excel 2007 form and is targeted more towards service industries. It includes the headings Policies, Procedures, People, and Plant. This is often referred to as the 4P Fishbone diagram.

A PICK chart provides a simple way to organize and evaluate potential ways to improve an existing process. By arranging ideas on the basis of how easy they are to implement and how big a payoff can be obtained by implementation, each alternative can be placed in one of four categories: Possible, Implement, Challenge, Kill. It is from these four categories that the acronym PICK is derived.

The following PICK chart templates are available as free downloads in the Project Management Media Gallery.

• Microsoft Excel 2007 PICK Chart Template – Created in Excel 2007, this template can be used “as-is” or altered to suit the specific needs of your project.
• Microsoft Excel 97-2003 PICK Chart Template – This is the same template as the Excel 2007 version, but was saved as an Excel 97-2003 workbook for the benefit of those who are using an older version of Microsoft Office.
• Microsoft Publisher 2007 PICK Chart Template – Based on the same format as the Excel PICK Chart, this template created in Microsoft Publisher can be easily modified to include graphics or company logos.
• PDF Version of PICK Chart Template - This file is a PDF version of the PICK Chart template created in Microsoft Publisher 2007. It can be printed out and used in brainstorming sessions.

A SIPOC Diagram is a high-level map that shows the process of how a particular customer requirement is satisfied. SIPOC is an acronym for Suppliers, Input, Process, Output, and Customers – the five segments that divide the diagram. This type of diagram is often used during the “Define” phase of Six Sigma to help establish the scope of the project.

• Microsoft Excel 2007 SIPOC Diagram Template – For those who prefer Excel files, this SIPOC Diagram template was created in Excel 2007.
• Microsoft Excel 97-2003 SIPOC Diagram Template – This template is a duplicate of the Excel 2007 version saved in a format that can be opened in older versions of Excel.
• Microsoft Publisher 2007 SIPOC Diagram Template – Using the same basic setup as the Excel SIPOC diagrams, this template has been created using Publisher 2007.

Our Bright Hub Project Management Authors have written many articles related to Six Sigma and it's applied methodology. Click the links below to read any of these articles:

• What is the Purpose of Six Sigma?
• How to Implement Six Sigma
• Key Concepts of Six Sigma
• Six Sigma Glossary of Terms and Definitions
• Adding Six Sigma Tolerances to Your Organization
• Why Six Sigma Metrics are Better
• Top Six Questions About Six Sigma