Does Lean Six Sigma work in service industries? Yes! Here’s an example of how a call center at one of the world’s largest credit card processing companies applied DMAIC to reduce call abandonment rates.
DMAIC Project for Process Improvement
Define the Problem: In the last 6 months, there have been 10,987 calls lasting more than 5 minutes, which is 24% of the calls. > 35% of calls must be escalated because the representative cannot find the answer or cannot find it quickly enough.
Measure the Process: The value stream map says that our new reps struggle with our answer system. And customers don’t use our email or self serve platforms.
Analyze the Root Cause:
It takes to long for reps to find the answer.
Reps are not trained.
The system is too complicated and wordy.
Reps rely on the experts and escalation path.
Customers don’t know about or how to use OCM for self service. Customers don’t use email system.
Improve the Process:
OCM training for Reps and Customers
Visual tracking and performance
Changed productivity requirements for 2020 to include: meeting calls per hour, total talk time less than 5 minutes, and maintaining adherence for AID (break overages, etc)
Review of Voice of Customer Report to address time gaps in phones being answered
Began receiving Hot Alerts from Customer Care to address hold times and delayed responses
Implementing addition of email to answer questions versus inbound phone calls being received
Control the Process and Check for Improvement:
Documentation
Update Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to include Hot Alerts, Email implementation, Voice of Customer Report review
Training
Train all support staff to new processes
Visual Controls
Posting the average talk times and hold times in the department daily
Follow Up Plan
Review KPIs weekly
Meet with managers weekly to review process and get ideas from the team
…and what were the results?
Lean Six Sigma Toolbox helps companies in any industry find new ways to operate, lowering costs and improving customer, or patient, satisfaction. Sign up for one of our Lean Six Sigma Toolbox Green Belt courses here.
