Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology that has its origins in the manufacturing business. It has been adapted and expanded to cover a wide variety of business products, services, and help foster solutions in terms of reducing costs, removing defects, and continuously increasing efficiency.
Today, we are moving from the boardroom to the gym and looking at ways to apply a scaled-down version of Six Sigma methodology to improving your health and fitness. Right now, you are the product and we are looking for ways to foster continuous improvement in you!
What is DMAIC?
Let’s look at one of the basic methodologies for Six Sigma projects called DMAIC and see how it can be applied to improve your fitness program.
DEFINE the problem and project goals specifically.
- What are your fitness goals, right now, today? Whether it’s to lose a certain number of pounds in an allotted time-frame, or be able to do a one-arm push-up at 40, it doesn’t matter. Here is where we define our objective.
MEASURE key aspects and collect data.
- What is your current weight or dress size or waist size?
- How many push-ups can you do in one session?
- How many calories, carbohydrates, and grams of protein do you eat daily?
- How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat daily?
- What is your resting heart rate? Blood pressure? Cholesterol numbers?
- How fast can you run a mile?
- Or, any other measurements that pertain specifically to the goal you outlined in the Define section above.
ANALYZE the data to investigate and verify cause and effect relationships. Determine the root cause of the problem.
- Do you have 3 sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches from Dunkin Donuts daily and notice that your cholesterol has sky-rocketed, your blood pressure is too high, and your waist line has expanded?
- Do you run out of breath climbing a flight of stairs?
- Or, not have enough energy to play with you kids in the park?
- Do you aspire to run a marathon this year, but can’t get motivated?
- Look closely at the data you gathered above and figure out what is holding you back from achieving your goal.
IMPROVE or optimize the process based on the analysis.
Here is where all the real work gets done, but also where you may encounter a stumbling block. You’ve defined your goal, measured key aspects as they relate to your goal, analyzed all the data and determined the root cause of the problem, but what do you do now?
This is where having a knowledgeable and highly experienced Coach comes into play
(Book a Strategy Session Call with me HERE).
You need someone who can review the findings above and determine the best possible solution for you. This includes:
- Knowledge and understanding of exercise methodologies and how to apply them on a case-by-case basis.
- Ability to design an individualized fitness plan for you.
- Ability to effectively and efficiently get you the maximum results in the minimum amount of time.
- Ability to communicate, break things down, and respond accordingly to questions and concerns.
- Ability to motivate and keep you on the path.
CONTROL future state process to ensure any deviations from the target are corrected before they result in defects.
- Here is where your progress is charted and tracked to make sure slippage does not occur. If slippage does occur, it can be noticed and corrected for immediately to assure the project – a fit and healthy you – remains on track!
Many companies and organizations have applied these principles to better their businesses, increase production, reduce costs, and improve their overall business processes. Why shouldn’t you be able to take the same ideas and apply them to your health and fitness?
