Six Sigma Project Simulation in IT

​This Six Sigma project scenario will allow you to review and write a Case Study regarding the use of Lean and Six Sigma Tools in the realm of Information Technology. 

The Information Technology industry has its own unique complexities from other industries which provide opportunity for Six Sigma and Lean projects.

Information Technology companies are using Six Sigma and Lean, similar to other industries, for their core processes and successfully reaping the benefits.

Information technology companies find the greatest benefits in product development and maintenance phases by eliminating errors during the product development process ensuring the final product meets the “Voice of the Customer”. This results in increased customer satisfaction and a solid brand foundation for the company in an industry which is saturated with many “like type” services, it pays to position your company in a manner that sets them apart.

In software and program development, bugs and errors can easily escalate costs by forcing the company to invest in product redevelopment. Lean initiatives help to resolve and prevent these types of errors.  The reason Lean is easier to apply to information technology is that improvement and analysis data is so readily available. Information technology is more data driven than other industries and improvement information is readily available.

The advantage for Information Technology applications is that they tend to operate much more quickly than other departments in a business.  
Employees in technology departments are constantly consumed with projects and deadlines.  In order for Six Sigma and Lean process improvement programs to be accepted they need to move quickly.  

Some of the most common factors that lead to the need for Six Sigma and Lean in the Information and Technology field are:

  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Software Design
  • Satisfaction
  • Manage Automated IT Processes


The Number #1 savings in cost containment is Information Technology Efficiency.  Quick list – 10 Common benchmarks related to performance and efficiency are:

  • Information Technology Architecture
  • Information Technology Customer Satisfaction
  • Information Technology Facilities Management
  • Information Technology Human Resources
  • Information Technology Measurement
  • Information Technology Outsourcing
  • Information Technology Procurement
  • Information Technology Project Management
  • Information Technology Security
  • Information Technology Strategy Development


Common Lean Six Sigma Projects in Information Technology are:

  • Reducing the number of servers. This may involve shutting down servers or using virtual machines to consolidate them.
  • Reducing the number of software applications.
  • Standardizing and simplifying IT processes like requesting an account, resetting a password, or requesting a new software installation.
  • Simplifying application development and debugging. 


Information technology companies use many Six Sigma Tools and Techniques the most commonly utilized tool is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). This is often used because it can be used for almost all core Information Technology product development, product redevelopment and product maintenance.

Six Sigma reduces costs and waste by determining the Cost of Poor Quality. Reducing poor quality is accomplished by:

  • Understanding who your customers are and what is important to them.
  • Understanding customer feedback called the “Voice of the Customer” and determine the necessary requirements for your product. 
  • Prioritizing issues related to your product.


Reducing poor quality is accomplished by:

  • Determining internal processes and what causes variation. 
  • Determine what causes of defects.
  • Developing ways to address the defects.
  • Developing metrics to standardize and measure the changes made in the process. 


Learn more by enrolling in the ​Six Sigma Project Simulation in IT