Good Six Sigma projects are just like any other good project

One of my basic rules for applying six sigma in corporate real estate is "Don't check your business judgment at the door."

New six sigma practitioners always ask for ideas about project topics.  Although it is helpful to have examples (and there are some classics, e.g., MAC process improvement), some times the question comes because people are distracted by the methodology.  My response is always "Tell me what you are working on in your business, regardless of six sigma" or "What are your goals for the year?"  At least that gets the conversation going.

Consider where you might be having pain in each functional area (transactions, projects, facilities...), consider what your business is asking for (help on sustainability, business continuity, better access to talent, cost reduction). 

The project ideas will be easy from there.

P.S.  Just in case you're looking for examples, here are a few:

• Improve cycle time for capital projects
• Improve quality of capital project scoping process
• Design a framework for managing CRE part of corporate social responsibility; Phase 2:  Improve sustainability of built environment
• Improve quality of critical environment facility support
• Improve utilization of a regional portfolio
• Design new metro strategy
• Reduce cost in materials sourcing