3m’s conundrum of efficiency and creativity

Answering the Questions 1. Relative advantage of Six Sigma oTime efficient & Cost effective – eliminate the extra ideas and create the “ right idea the first time” oCustomerloyaltyoReduction of incidents oLower costs for providing goods and services -Relative disadvantage Six Sigma oCreativity and innovation decreases due to the lack of opportunity to come up with ideas. oComplicated process to learn and keep going oRisk of failure / fear of the unknown Using Six Sigma 3M’s programmed decisions are well thought out and researched.

On the other hand, their non-programmed decisions could be better because they lack the ingenuity and inputs of employees that drive new ideas. So I have to believe that because of the rigidness of the management style does not allow for the employees to create new products and bring forth the new ideas. While I am all for putting processes in place and improving effectiveness and eliminating waist, I have never been a fan of the Six Sigma process. I feel the Six Sigma, just as the expert believe, takes away the creative processes and does not allow enough flexibility for research and development. Society and business are always changing.