To meet the demand for quality products and services at reasonable prices, The Dow Chemical Company announced plans in 1998 to implement the Six Sigma management philosophy company-wide to revitalize productivity improvement efforts. For the initiative to be successful, Dow needed to make Six Sigma a core element of the company’s culture.
While Dow employees had the basic tools and techniques to implement projects, they needed to learn how to lead and manage them successfully with a full understanding of the organizational, departmental and interpersonal implications of their project management decisions.
SMG’s Solution
SMG custom tailored and delivered Project Leadership, an interactive learning solution that enhances the capabilities of Dow's Black Belts to implement Six Sigma projects more effectively. In addition, it enables their Master Black Belts to serve as better coaches on project related issues.
Participants engaged in preliminary self-study activities using SMG’s Understanding Project Management™ CD-ROM, a multimedia tool also available as an online solution that helps users understand and apply the project management process. After playing three rounds of SMG’s Project Leadership simulation, participants engaged in robust discussions led by one of SMG’s expert project management consultants. By combining interactive simulation with high levels of consultant led facilitation, Dow’s Black Belts were able to apply their learning to the unique challenges of Six Sigma projects.
Results
As of 2001, Dow had over 1,000 certified Black Belts and 1,500 projects underway. Lyn Pugh, Six Sigma Performance and Training Leader, attributed this success, in part, to SMG’s high quality solution in project leadership best practices. “Since beginning Black Belt training in 1999, the success and financial return of the Dow Black Belt projects has greatly exceeded our expectations,” Pugh said.
Based on the success of the Project Leadership course, Dow has continued to utilize SMG’s learning solutions in its Six Sigma initiatives. According to Pugh, “We are expanding the project management content with the use of SMG’s newly revised Project Leadership simulation, as well as piloting a module on Advanced Issues in Project Management.”
By the end of 2005 Dow has trained over 2000 Green Belt Leaders and 3000 Black Belt Leaders using SMG simulation training solutions. According to Debbie Ramsey, SCO Site Integration Leader, M&E Master Black Belt who is now managing the program, “Dow has been using SMG simulations for a number of years, training well over 3000 people with the Project Leadership Simulation. In the Black Belt curriculum Project Leadership gives the participants a chance to make decisions and interactively relate to the consequences in a positive learning environment. Project Leadership helps to round out the person with good technical skills into a successful project leader.”
