From my perspective, this is a very welcome development as it emphasises the language of business, basing all projects on a sound business case using proven tools and techniques to deliver:

• Improved performance
• Improved customer satisfaction
• Risk management
• Defect prevention and elimination
• Value measurement throughout
• Increased profitability.

It also articulates the need for a robust infrastructure, through:

• The creation of roles
• Clear responsibilities
• Demanding projects that require:

1. A business case
2. Common vetting
3. Clearly defined methodology (DMAIC).

At this stage, certification is not within the scope of ISO 13053, although I expect that it will be developed as implied in ISO 13053-1:2011. So, in the meantime there may be a take up by:

• OEMs and Blue Chip companies who wish to drive the standard through to their sub-contractors
• Existing ISO 9000 clients who wish to apply the powerful tools of Six Sigma for top performance
• Visionary leaders who wish to accelerate their enterprises to optimised performance.

The major focus of Part 1 of the standard is personnel and their roles, required competencies, training requirements, project prioritisation and selection; outcomes required of the DMAIC methodology and the tools employed.

All of this is considered for Large, Medium, Small and Multiple sites and supported by template training agendas and informative factsheets for the tools and methods.

In summary, the new Six Sigma standard provides an excellent roadmap of what needs to be done to implement and integrate Six Sigma into an enterprise. The challenge is how to implement.

This challenge may be met by applying leading edge training methods at all levels of enterprise in order to qualify and certificate Six Sigma practitioners. How will we know if the training is effective? The answer lies in the follow up to coach and mentor Six Sigma practitioners at all levels and to evidence practical application of the Six Sigma tools against a national standard.

Recently, vocational qualifications have become more responsive to the demands of employers and learners through the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) which is the new framework for creating and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The QCF gives a wider range of learners the opportunity to get the qualifications they need, in a way that suits them. QCF qualifications are designed with the help of employers so learners can be assured that they're gaining skills that employers are looking for. The QCF:

• recognises smaller steps of learning, enabling learners to build up qualifications bit by bit
• helps learners achieve skills and qualifications that meet industry needs
• enables work-based training to be nationally recognised
• thus creating a transferrable qualification.

Most of the tools and techniques referenced in Part 2 the Six Sigma standard are available as individual units with detailed performance and knowledge criteria for assessment purposes.

Are we one step away from a National Qualification in Six Sigma?