Comparing Six Sigma Project Management To Other Management Models

In the past 20 plus years, Six Sigma methodology has been widely practiced by a growing number of companies across a wide base of industries. Given its growing popularity, it has raised questions about the differences between Six Sigma project management as opposed to more well established project management philosophies. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK), widely made known and recommended by the Project Management Institute, is the standard most compared to Six Sigma, and while there are similarities between the two, there are also several specific differences. Most project manager professionals undertake a certification process using PMBoK as the primary basis for certification. Six Sigma project management, however, works more as an overall business philosophy, and becomes the stimulant for changes in business culture as well. Both standards start with the same basic premise: communicating with stakeholders and identifying the overall project scope.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge standard is comprised of five process groups that govern nine separate business departments identified as crucial project partners. The PMBoK model focuses on Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling and Closing. Six Sigma project management focuses on Define, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify. The five steps in each are very similar in nature, however in the Six Sigma methodology, it is practiced as a whole entity in terms of an overall business model, whereas PMBoK’s methodology is used more on a project-by-project basis. Six Sigma works to correct problems at its origin and manages best practices through completion, effectively preventing defects from re-occurring. PMBoK is more geared towards reviewing each project after completion and discussing ways to prevent them for occurring in future projects, instead of working on adapting processes to prevent defects. While both standards provide great value, Six Sigma standards can be broadly applied to encompass several projects at the same time.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge has been an excellent standard for many varied business projects, however Six Sigma project management has taken the applications of PMBoK and applied a more stringent set of components that provide the ability to manage all projects using the same set of principles. In essence, Six Sigma standards act as a complement to PMBoK standards rather than a replacement, although Six Sigma project management standards utilize components that minimize risk and eliminate the potential of political decisions coming into play with regard to scheduling meeting times, differences in review policy and departmental differences.