| Six Sigma concepts were originally developed for use | | | | Many people believe that Six Sigma is only limited to |
| in the manufacturing sector, but are now increasingly | | | | the use of statistical methods. What they do not |
| being used in the services sector as well. Use of Six | | | | know is that Six Sigma follows a disciplined approach |
| Sigma concepts in the software industry has become | | | | that can solve any type of problem, whether it is |
| quite common, but what many people do not know | | | | quantitative or qualitative. This is evident from |
| is that Six Sigma concepts can also be used in | | | | software companies that have successfully employed |
| software implementation. People who have | | | | Six Sigma concepts in solving qualitative problems |
| experience in software implementation projects | | | | that arise during software implementation projects. |
| know that such projects often do not take off as | | | | Generating Schedule Estimates |
| planned and may be subjected to schedule overruns | | | | Schedule estimation is another common problem |
| and recurring problems. This is why many software | | | | faced during software implementation. Mistakes in |
| companies opt for employing Six Sigma concepts | | | | schedule estimation can affect the outcome of an |
| during the process of software implementation at a | | | | implementation project; as such projects are often |
| client's site. | | | | required to be completed in a specific timeframe and |
| Common Implementation Problems | | | | within available budgets. Implementation projects are |
| The two most common problems faced during | | | | often delayed because planners make the |
| software implementation projects include customer | | | | implementation schedule without considering indirect |
| requirement problems and schedule estimation | | | | factors that might affect the project. Planners often |
| problems. By employing Six Sigma concepts in | | | | fail to foresee that implementation can get affected |
| software implementation projects, professionals can | | | | due to the size of the software, location where it is |
| better understand the needs and business objectives | | | | being implemented, internal politics, authority, and |
| of the client. This way, they can make sure that the | | | | governance. |
| software implementation project is successfully | | | | Employing Six Sigma concepts in preparing schedule |
| completed within the stipulated timeframe. Employing | | | | estimations will help planners to effectively include all |
| Six Sigma will also ensure that no additional costs are | | | | these factors which may indirectly affect software |
| incurred during the implementation process. | | | | implementation projects. Based on the past records |
| Understanding Client Requirements | | | | of the client, Six Sigma statistical tools will generate |
| Software products are normally designed for | | | | an efficiency chart, which provides details about all |
| increasing the efficiency of a business process in | | | | types of problems faced with the client during |
| accordance with the goals and objectives of the | | | | software implementation projects. The chart displays |
| client. Most of the problems related to the software | | | | the time taken to resolve such problems and |
| arise during the implementation stage when the client | | | | techniques that were employed to solve such |
| finds out that the software is unable to achieve | | | | problems. |
| desired objectives. This situation arises when the | | | | The chart also displays any additional time or costs |
| client passes vague information about requirements | | | | that went into the completion of the project. |
| to software developers or when developers are | | | | Planners can use the information given in the chart |
| unable to clearly comprehend client requirements. | | | | for giving due consideration to all the indirect factors |
| Six Sigma helps in avoiding problems during the | | | | that can affect software implementations. This will |
| software implementation stage by bridging the gap | | | | help in generating true schedule estimates, necessary |
| between actual requirements of the client and what | | | | for the success of software implementation projects. |
| is eventually understood by software developers. | | | | |