Six Sigma and Project Management Interface

Role of PM in Six Sigma Implementation

In many instances a six sigma approach does bring in some discipline with respect to defining the project in terms of clear objectives. A project does not neccessarily have to be defined in the DMAIC format to be considered a six sigma project. My belief is that a project could have some support from the customer in defining what a project six sigma expectations are. The more diluted the six sigma concept gets with respect to just "processes" the more it loses it value. Alternatively, it is time to restructure the six sigma pyramid as part of the lean wave.
The difficulty in carrying out successful projects with both the six sigma and project management principles tied in is the lack of pre-defined templates that would alleviate a project manager's initial anguish in making the project planning too complicated. One of the suggestion would be for project managers to at least get a basic certification in six sigma greenbelt.

A fruitful discussion on the betterment of successful project execution would be an understanding of the co-existence of six sigma and project management philosophy within the same project. A six sigma template DMAIC could easily be superimposed on the general IPECC PMBOK guideline within a MS Project or any other project management software. The business analysis leading to six sigma implementation are also PMBOK process dependent.

The PMI RMP Exam

The PMI-RMP was worth taking. It took some effort passing it. I believe it was tougher than the PMP but more specific. The PMI research document is thoroughly researched on the type and impact the RMP will have on industry. Of the over 300,000 PMP's currently active I believe over half will be RMP certified in the next 3 years.

Question I have is how much effort PMI is going to put in promoting the new RMP certification promotion. I can perceieve the demand to be high as more and more project managers are asking for a more than fundamental understanding of risks.

Unfortunately, before taking the RMP exam I did not find much help or guidance preparing for it from any reliable source. The PMI website simply provides you a booklet which specifies the four topics for the RMP exam - Risk Communications, Risk Analysis, Risk Response Planning and Risk Governance. I suggest you find a resource that lays out this topics in detail. The RMP exam is definitely more comprehensive in the risk areas than the PMP certification.