Green Belt Certification: A Launchpad to Katrina Awing’s Milestone Projects
Originally Published 5.23.2021
Katrina Awing, Operations Manager for Ingram Micro Philippines, unfolds a breakthrough experience with her very first project that earned her a Green Belt Certification last April 2019.
The acquisition of skills to utilize the tools and methodologies of Lean Six Sigma refine the caliber of professionals in almost any field. It holds a systematic approach to addressing process defects and accelerates exponential results. From practical training to project execution, Six Sigma PH aims to provide a remarkable journey to its students. This ethos acted as a springboard to a myriad of careers and pivoted countless amount of perspectives. As the saying goes, “Making the beginning is one-third of the work” and the rest, we believe, is through proper knowledge and guidance only leading practitioners in the Six Sigma’s realm could bestow.
Katrina, pioneering her own project was an electrifying experience. She said, “Working on a project was not new to me, however, leading a project was! I needed to be perceptive since, as a leader, I had to be open-minded but still be in control of meeting the goal. Overall, it was an empowering and still humbling experience especially when associates in our team started to embrace the learning and be open to the change needed.”
What convinced you to take the Six Sigma Workshop?
“I am a strong believer of continuous learning and based on my mentors.” Katrina stated, “Lean Six Sigma methodologies can help impact my career's future and drive for a more strategic mindset. I took their advice!”
What was your project about?
She confessed, “I chose a project that was very close to my heart. I asked and consistently got hounded by these questions ‘where is the highest pain point of my team, where & when does Overtime start to become a norm and have an increasing trend, where is the most “waste of time'' found and why do we get customer escalations?’ Then through data, I found what I was looking for. Hence, I chose to decrease the defects found on the quality attribute of ‘Ineffective use of customer's time efficiently’ calls of the Microsoft Licensing Team. Through this, we aim to provide a better customer experience and make use of everyone’s time more efficiently resulting in lesser outside shift work needs.” She added.
Among the action items applied, what were the key elements that led to the success of your project?
Katrina cited, “What I value the most is having a very supportive and collaborative project Sponsor and team Members and having complete, dependable, and accurate data.” She emphasized, “Having a good communication plan that gives the right, targeted, and enough visibility for the audience of the project, team members, and the Stakeholders. Last but not least, is the Six Sigma Circuit created by the Six Sigma Guy, Rex Tuozo. This structured approach allowed me to be very precise on what steps to take and still be agile when a change of direction is needed.”
What was the impact of being a certified Six Sigma Green Belt on you as an individual and a professional?
She recalled, “It was indeed a rewarding experience being a Certified Six Sigma Greenbelt. Personally, the concept of DMAIC has been ingrained in me and helped me address existing or potential problems in a more structured manner.” Katrina claimed, “I was happy that I learned how to be more systematic when approaching problems either in life or at work. Professionally, my confidence in articulating my thoughts when business strategies must be done has become better. A few opportunities to assist on other projects for Ingram Micro Go-To-Market group is something I have been blessed to be assigned to lead on for the last few months.”
What would be your message to those who are currently taking or planning to take the Green Belt Program and to those who are currently conducting their own projects?
Katrina explained, “Manage your time and lead your team well. Your team is your ally to make your project successful. Empower them and openly communicate often to ensure clarity on directions to take. The least we want to have is multiple people going in different directions due to uncertain action plans.” Katrina mentioned, “Document each milestone and challenge. Lastly, be brave, and trust your team. Risks are fine and don't be afraid to go back to square one if needed. ‘Fail Fast, Fail Cheap and Fail often.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience?
“Through Six Sigma PH, my Six Sigma Greenbelt certification has been a great journey,” Katrina concluded.
Katrina Awing is a living by-product of excellence. Be the cause of your organization’s foolproof process and abundant results. With Six Sigma PH, we will lead you there!
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