Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams

Tool description

The 6-3-5 method is a brainwriting technique that generates and develops ideas by asking six participants to write, within five minutes, three ideas on seprate cards. These cards are then passed along to other participants for further refinement or additional ideas.

Typical application

• To generate a large list of ideas for problem solving.

• To unlock the creativity in teams.

• To identify process or product-improvement opportunities.

• To refine or build on previously generated ideas.

Problem-solving phase

Typically used by

before

• Checklist

• Checksheet

• Observation

• Interview technique

• Problem specification

after

• Criteria filtering

• SCAMPER

• Cluster analysis

• Creativity assessment

• Nominal group technique (NGT)

Notes and key points

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 A problem statement is shared with a team of six participants. See example Improve Customer Satisfaction.

• STEP 2 Several blank cards are handed out to each participant with the instruction to generate three ideas (one per card) within five minutes.

• STEP 3 Each participant writes three ideas related to the problem statement.

• STEP 4 After the five-minute first round, participants pass the cards with written ideas to the person on their left.

• STEP 5 The participants read all ideas passed to them, further develop the ideas, or add additional ideas to the previously recorded idea.

• STEP 6 After five minutes, the second round is started, using the process as outlined in steps 4-5 above.

• STEP 7 This process continues until each participant receives back his or her own card written during round one.

• STEP 8 Lastly, all ideas are clustered and recorded. The chart is dated and saved for the next action step.

Example of tool application