What is the purpose of a pilot study in Six Sigma?

The purpose of a pilot study in Six Sigma is to assess the effectiveness of proposed improvements. A pilot study involves testing changes on a small scale before implementing them more broadly. This allows teams to evaluate whether the improvements lead to the desired outcomes without the risks and costs associated with full-scale implementation. By collecting data during the pilot, teams can measure performance, identify any unforeseen issues, and make necessary adjustments.

Conducting a pilot study helps to validate hypotheses about the potential effectiveness of changes and gathers concrete evidence on how those changes will impact the process. If the improvements are deemed successful during the pilot, it can then inform the decision to scale up the changes across the organization. This step is crucial for reducing the likelihood of failure in larger rollouts and for encouraging change management through informed decision-making.