How can I apply six sigma to a handyman / facilities maintenance business?
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When you are creating new processes, you use the DMADV method (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, verify), instead of the typical DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control).  There are a number of books for both Six Sigma and DFSS (Design For Six Sigma) which should get you on your way.\n\nI like the author Pyzdek, but there are a ton of books and authors out there- search Amazon or go to your local bookstore.
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A Six Sigma black belt is someone with extensive experience and training in the implementation of Six Sigma at a high level within the organization.
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manufacturing\nwarehouse worker\nconstruction
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Design For SixSigma DFSS, is the latest buzz in both engineering and quality.\n\nAlso, the American Society for Quality ASQ on SixSigma. This organization provides training and the ability to be certified as a SixSigma Black Belt.\n\nCheck out the following links:
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You can start by reading the article "Starting a Janitorial and Cleaning Service Business" at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm . The article contains information on startup strategies, operational considerations (prices, manpower, finding suppliers), and marketing the business. \n\nFrom the article, here are some tips:\n\n1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer. \n\n2. The best way to market this business is through cold calling. Drive through the area to look for newly opened businesses, buildings or facilities. Then introduce yourself to the landlords ­ your potential clients ­ and request for an opportunity to bid on their cleaning contract. \n\n3. Draw up a better and more professional proposal by learning firsthand the needs of the potential customer, as well as the layout of the facility (e.g. type of carpeting, etc.)\n\n4. Networking is another effective strategy to get ahead in the janitorial business. Aside from newly opened buildings, get a list of companies that are downsizing or laying off cleaning staffs.\n\n5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other building owners or entrepreneurs in your area.\n\n6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. \n\n7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.\n\nFor detailed information I suggest you read the following books:\n\n- Janitorial Service Businesses : Strategies for Promoting, Estimating, and Bidding Cleaning Services \n- The Janitorial Contractors Bible \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business \n- Cleaning Up for a Living: Everything You Need to Know to Become a Successful Building Service Contractor \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business
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depends on what type.. Definitely look into the ISO 2000 - 2001 standards for quality and or check into Six Sigma.
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go to your local contractor and ask
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quality maximization of  resource and process result in best quality.
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Go to ASQ.org\n\nThis is the most economical way.  If you have completed a project using six sigma principles, you can get a signed statement for evidence, then take the ASQ six sigma certification exam.  It is cheaper to join ASQ and get the member rate for the exam.  You can study for the exam by getting the Indiana Council primers from the Indiana Council of Quality.  The questions of the ASQ exam will not be as difficult as those the primer.
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Write to locally based companies and ask. Its the only way!
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National Association of Securities Dealers and six sigma is the quality control method developed by GE's legendary ex-CEO, Jack Welch.  I believe the six sigma standard refers to defect rate of one millionth of a percent.  You may want to search the web or wikipedia to confirm...
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Six Sigma has been around for quite some time.  Many fortune corp. culture is surround by 6 sigma.  ex. Quest Diagnostics. Toyota, Black & Decker......Yes it can.  Black Belts and master black belts earn upwards of 100,000.  Being a certififed Green Belt can also offer additional earnings.\n\nSix Sigma is not a fad.  It is a way to improve products and services by using statistically data.  Since when has math been a fad?
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Several topics to research:\nWhite/Black box testing.  Performance testing.  Regression testing.  Use case scenarios/testing.  Product defect lifecycle.  Issue/problem management and tracking.  Some industry standard QA tools to consider....SQA Robot, Mercury Interactive (WinRunner), Silk.  Most QA technicians need a solid understanding of the development and issue management lifecycles as well as a decent amount of scripting knowledge.
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Well, these things are usually custom tailored to the specific needs!\n\nYou could ask a contractor to see a sample contract.
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consult a manufacturing agent
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Six sigma is Business process introduced by G.E and now its a industry standard. \n\nSix sigma deals with step by step a close loop plan for any business approach.\n\nU have various belts in the Six Sigma. Like Yellow, Green & Black. \n\nPls visit.\n\nSome of the topics covered under Six Sigma, It would give u a understanding of the process too. Also visit.http://www.isixsigma.com/sixsigma/six_sigma.asp\n\n\nMODULE: \n\n\nSection A : Overall Course Roadmap\nCost of Quality \nUnderstanding the Q.C.S. parameters \nMeaning of Six Sigma \nWhy Six Sigma \nHow to get There \nTerminologies in Six Sigma\n \nSection B : Process Mapping\n\n• Understanding and Improving Processes\n• Using a Process Map to improve Process\n• Collecting information \n• Selecting a Process to Map\n• Steps from “AS IS” to “ Should be”\n• Case Study - 1\n• Case Study -2 \n\nSection C : Tracking Process Defects\n\n• Defects per Unit (DPU)\n• Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO)\n• Total Defects per Unit (TDU)\n• DPU, DPMO and Sigma level\n• Exercises \n\nSection D : Statistical Process Control, Principles & Applications\n\n• Basic Statistical Principles and Q C Tools\n• Measuring Variation\n• Process Capability Indices\n• Monitoring Variation via Statistical Techniques\n• Exercises \n\nSection E : Customer Inputs\n\n• Voice of the Customer\n• Quality Function Deployment \n• Case Study - 3\n• Case Study - 4 \n\nSection F : 8 Discipline Problem Solving\n\n• Introduction : The need for a disciplined problem solving approach\n• Step D - 0 : The planning stage\n• Step D - 1 : Establishing the team\n• Step D - 2 : Problem definition/statement\n• Step D - 3 : Developing Interim Containment Action (ICA)\n• Step D - 4 : Identifying and Verifying Root Cause\n• Step D - 5 : Identifying Permanent Corrective Action (PCA)\n• Step D - 6 : Implementing and Validating the PCA\n• Step D - 7 : Preventing Recurrence\n• Step D - 8 : Recognizing Team Efforts\n• Case Study - 5 \n\nSection G : DMAIC\n• Define\n• Measure\n• Analyze\n• Improve\n• Control\n• Case Study - 6 \n• Application of Six Sigma and DMAIC in “Service” Processes\n\nSection H :Failure Mode and Effects Analysis\n\n• Fundamental Objectives\n• Planning for Quality\n• Role of FMEA's in Design and Manufacturing\n• Connecting Failure Mode to Cause and Effect\n• Developing a “Risk Model”\n• Design and Process FMEA Road Maps and Control Plan\n• Case Study - 7 \n\nSection I : Design of Experiments\n\n• What is an experiment ?\n• Objective & Strategy of Experimentation\n• Factorial Designs\n• Replication, Randomization, Blocking\n• Case Study –8\n\nSection J: Supply Base and Material Management\n\n• Economic/Monetary significance of purchased material\n• Reducing supplier related costs\n• Supplier partnerships\n• Early Supplier Involvement\n• Supplier Rating and Relationships\n• Just in Time Production\n• Supplier Surveys
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Determine what measurable attributes (metrics) reflect performance in your field. Decide upon a reasonable goal/ target based on historical performance in your group, regulatory guidelines, etc.\n\nFor example, if you are in manufacturing, you might set a safety goal. A measurable attribute would be # of lost time accidents per month. You might start with a goal of <20 per month, then do research and learn that OSHA frowns upon >10 per month, and then you might realize that your group is at 15/month. So you'll be able to start narrowing down your target from there. \n\nThe same method can be used in different fields. If you have (internal or external) customers, you can ask them for input into targets. If the organization has overall performance goals, you can use those to set your targets (SLAs), and so on.