{"id":13625,"date":"2025-06-18T09:23:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/tlssc-preview3\/?p=13625"},"modified":"2025-08-28T14:20:54","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T13:20:54","slug":"improving-customer-communication-in-pension-fund-administration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/uk\/library\/improving-customer-communication-in-pension-fund-administration\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving Customer Communication in Pension Fund Administration"},"content":{"rendered":"
In the professional services industry, efficient communication with clients is essential. For pension fund administrators, this becomes even more critical, as clients need clarity regarding their benefits, contributions, and payouts. This case study demonstrates how Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology was applied to reduce the volume of customer inquiries at a pension fund administrator, while improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A financial services company experienced a significant increase in customer calls about income statements. This surge overwhelmed the team, reducing accessibility and customer satisfaction. In the first quarter of 2017, it was found that 73% of customer inquiries were driven by just eight key processes out of the 44 total handled by the department.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Senior Manager of Operations identified that tackling these high-frequency issues could significantly reduce call volume, cut costs, and improve the customer experience. A target was set to reduce calls related to salary processing inquiries by at least 30%. At the time, the call rate was 13.6%, which equated to 5,912 calls from a customer base of 43,544.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The financial services company used the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology, a core Lean Six Sigma framework, to address the issue systematically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The project\u2019s first step was to identify critical customer concerns. A Voice of the Customer (VOC) analysis revealed that unclear information on income statements and issues with the pension website were the primary drivers for the high call volume. A project charter and stakeholder analysis were completed, securing senior management\u2019s buy-in due to the potential financial and customer service improvements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers) diagram mapped the processes from income statement preparation to customer inquiry resolution, highlighting areas for improvement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Data collection followed. The team analyzed thousands of call records to determine why customers were reaching out. A CTQ (Critical to Quality) analysis linked customer concerns to specific issues with the income statement process. The primary metric, or “Y,” was the call rate, which was measured to define a realistic reduction target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Using tools such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and hypothesis testing, the team uncovered the root causes of the high call volume, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The analysis also revealed internal bottlenecks, such as over-reliance on manual processes for handling inquiries and IT-related problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With root causes identified, the team implemented solutions:<\/span><\/p>\n Team members also received additional Lean Six Sigma training to support the project\u2019s long-term goals. These improvements directly reduced the call volume.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To sustain the improvements, a control plan was implemented, which included setting up a dashboard to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) like call rate and response time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Standardized processes were introduced for updating customers on their inquiry status through the website, further reducing calls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Continuous monitoring of performance was ensured by assigning a senior employee to manage control charts and performance data. Weekly progress meetings helped to review improvements and make adjustments where necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the project’s success, several challenges emerged:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although the project did not fully achieve its goal of reducing call volume by 30%, substantial progress was made:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This Lean Six Sigma project demonstrates how a structured approach can lead to substantial operational improvements. By utilizing tools like VOC analysis, SIPOC diagrams, and DMAIC methodology, the project team addressed specific pain points, reducing customer call volumes and generating financial savings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While challenges such as employee resistance and IT delays were encountered, the overall improvements to processes and customer satisfaction were significant. Lean Six Sigma provided a roadmap for success that other organizations in the professional services industry can replicate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the world of pension fund administration, clear and timely communication isn\u2019t just important, it\u2019s essential. Faced with a spike in customer inquiries about income statements, one professional services firm turned to Lean Six Sigma to improve its operational efficiency and client experience.<\/p>\n Over a 10-month Black Belt project, the team used DMAIC methodology to uncover the root causes behind a 13.6% call rate. Tools like Voice of the Customer (VOC) analysis, SIPOC mapping, and Value Stream Mapping revealed key drivers: ambiguous income statements, website login issues, and sluggish IT support.<\/p>\n By addressing these pain points with targeted solutions, like redesigning forms, automating communications, and streamlining the website experience, the team reduced the call rate to 10.5% and delivered an estimated $30,000 in financial savings.<\/p>\n More importantly, the project strengthened cross-departmental collaboration and laid the foundation for ongoing service improvements. It\u2019s a prime example of how Lean Six Sigma can drive measurable change in client-facing operations, one clear communication at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13627,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[166,152,150,145,132,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sipoc","category-value-stream-mapping","category-dmaic-project","category-professional-services","category-black-belt-services","category-lean-six-sigma-topics"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Problem<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
The Approach<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Define Phase<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Measure Phase<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Analyze Phase<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
Improve Phase<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
Control Phase<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Challenges and Lessons Learned<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Results and Benefits<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
Conclusion<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n