Project Overview
Cummins Inc.'s Enterprise Content Management team identified a strategic opportunity to advance the company's digital workplace transformation and environmental sustainability goals through enterprise-wide adoption of electronic signature technology. While the organization had already reduced printing through departmental cost center chargebacks, the next phase required eliminating paper-based signature workflows that created delays in business transactions, increased storage costs, and contributed to the company's global carbon footprint.
The initiative faced significant organizational skepticism around the legal validity of digital signatures, requiring not only technology implementation but comprehensive stakeholder education about regulatory compliance and enforceability. The objective was to establish an enterprise-standard electronic signature solution that would be legally defensible, globally scalable, and integrated with existing business systems including Salesforce, Microsoft platforms, and Box content management.
As Green Belt Six Sigma Project Lead, I applied DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology to systematically evaluate business requirements, conduct vendor selection through RFI/RFP processes, negotiate enterprise contracts, and establish a center of excellence governing implementation and adoption across the global organization.
Business Impact
- Cost Savings Target: $425,000 annually
- Paper Storage Reduction: Eliminated physical storage costs for signed documents
- Shipping Cost Elimination: Removed expedited FedEx/carrier services for signature delivery
- Deal Closure Acceleration: Reduced time required to complete business transactions
- Productivity Enhancement: Increased efficiency for Sales and Field Service Technicians
- Legal Compliance Improvement: Enhanced audit trails and document retention capabilities
- Carbon Footprint Reduction: Advanced corporate environmental sustainability goals
Two-Phase Approach
Applied DMAIC framework to understand the digital signature opportunity. Conducted Voice of Customer analysis, created value stream maps, developed FMEA to identify failure modes, and built the business case validating $425,000 in annual cost savings. Confirmed legal enforceability across primary Cummins operating jurisdictions. A critical mid-project discovery revealed Cummins already owned an underutilized enterprise e-signature contract — shifting project focus from external procurement to internal enablement.
Led vendor evaluation bringing in three market-leading solutions: Adobe Sign, DocuSign, and OneSpan. Developed and managed comprehensive RFI/RFP processes, conducted structured pilot tests with two finalists using representative user groups across Sales, Service, and Legal functions. Negotiated enterprise contracts, established API integrations with Salesforce, Microsoft, and Box, and created a center of excellence for ongoing governance and license management.
Project Scope
Key Discoveries
- Existing Contract Found: Cummins already owned an underutilized enterprise e-signature contract, shifting project focus from procurement to awareness and enablement.
- Education Gap Identified: Users lacked understanding of distinctions between electronic signatures and digital signatures, requiring comprehensive training programs.
- Awareness Deficit: Many potential users were unaware existing e-signature tools were available, indicating need for internal marketing.
- Demand Validation: Software certification team received frequent requests for e-signature capabilities, confirming enterprise-wide need.
- Cross-Project Interest: Other Six Sigma initiatives requested e-signature tool access to enhance Field Service Engineer efficiency, demonstrating broad applicability.