What is Six Sigma? Description
Six Sigma is a quality management methodology that provides businesses
with the tools to improve the capability of their business processes.
This increase in performance and decrease in process variation lead
to defect reduction and improvement in profits, employee morale and
quality of product. It is a quality measure and improvement program
that was pioneered by Mikel Harry and Motorola. It focuses on the control
of a process until the point of six sigma (standard deviations) from
a centerline, or 3.4 defects per million items. It includes identifying
factors which are critical for the quality as determined by the customer.
It reduces process variation and improvement capabilities, increases
stability and designs systems to support the six sigma goal.
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The Six Sigma model is a highly disciplined approach that
can help companies to focus on developing and delivering near-perfect
products and services. It is based on the statistical work of Joseph
Juran, a Rumanian-born US pioneer of quality management. The word "Sigma"
is a Greek sign used for a statistical term that measures how far a
given process deviates from perfection (standards deviation). If the
sigma number is higher, you are closer to perfection. One sigma is not
very good; six sigma is defined as only 3.4 defects per million. The
central idea behind Six Sigma is that if you can measure how many "defects"
you have in a process, you can systematically figure out how you can
eliminate them. Thus you can almost come to "zero defects".
The Japanese origin of Six Sigma can still be seen by the system of
"belts" which it uses. If you are new to Six Sigma and you go on a basic
training, you get a green belt. Anyone who has the responsibility for
leading a Six Sigma team is called a black belt. Finally there is a
special elite group called Master Black Belts who supervise the Black
Belts.
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Five Steps in Six Sigma. Process
Typically, a Six Sigma process has the following five stages:
- Definition. The first step in any Six Sigma project is to clarify
the problem and narrow its scope in such a way that measurable goals can
be achieved within a few months. Then a team is assembled to examine the
process in detail, suggest improvements, and implement those recommendations.
In the manufacturing world, project managers and their sponsors typically
begin by defining what constitutes a defect and then establish a set of
objectives designed to reduce the occurrence of such defects.
- Measurement. In the second step of a Six Sigma project, the team
gathers data and prepares it for high-level analysis.
- Analysis. Once a process has been mapped and documented, and
the quality of the hard supporting data has been verified, the Six Sigma
team can begin the analysis. The
team members usually start by identifying the ways in which people fail
to act as needed, or by identifying the ways in which people fail to ensure
effective control at each stage.
- Improvement. Recommend, decide and implement improvements.
- Control. In the final stage of a Six Sigma project, the team
creates controls. These are enabling the company to sustain and extend the
improvements.
Recent User Comments
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Eli Pablo - Philippines
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Organization Structure |
"Usually, Six Sigma organizations are composed of the following: Champions - these are members of the Senior Management Team with responsibility for the success of the quality initiative; Master Black Belts - these are the teachers, trainers, reviewers, and the mentors of the Black Belts (full-time); Black Belts - these are the leaders of the teams that employ the DMAIIC or DMADV (full-time); Green Belts - are the owners of projects that improve a process or product (part-time); and the Deployment Team - which are composed of key stakeholders, firm, or supplier resources assigned to a Six Sigma Project (part/full-time)" |
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Tanner C. - USA
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3 Six Sigma levels |
"Besides the Sigma levels 1 to 6, we can actually also distinguish between 3 other levels of using Six SIgma: A. Use Six SIgma as a statistical measurement unit (comparable to degrees or dollars) B. Use it as as a structured, measurement-centered improvement system (this is where the DMAIC and DMADV methods come into play) C. Use 6 Sigma as a management philosophy, in which the other 2 levels are used to establish a fact-based company culture which is aimed at continuous improvement of business and/or manufacturing processes." |
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Theresa - S-Africa
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Six Sigma in and R&D context |
"Is it possible to use Six Sigma to improve the quality of R&D processes? Or do R&D activities naturally defy systematic improvement efforts?" |
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Fred Allen - US
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SPC |
"According to many, Six Sigma is based on Statistical Process Control (SPC), a method of visually monitoring production processes. In Six Sigma, each business process must be measured and for this often the SPC methodology is used. Aims of SPC are: 1. Adjustment: To detect quickly when a process needs readjustment or repair. 2. Improvement: To find the most urgently needed improvement in the system itself." |
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Antonio - Puerto Rico
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Six SIgma DMAIC DMADV |
"Two Six Sigma sub-methodologies are called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control), and
DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify). DMAIC is an improvement system for EXISTING processes which
fall below specifications and need to be improved incrementally. DMADV is also an improvement
system which is designed to develop NEW processes and/ or products at Six Sigma quality levels." |
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Best User Comments
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gerardo acosta - mexico
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six sigma concept |
"Many of the tools of Six Sigma (and the concept of lean manufacturing with which Six Sigma is most closely identified) can be found in statistical process control, total quality management, statistics, process improvement, inventory control and operations management textbooks. However, it is not just the tools that deliver Six Sigma performance - it is the logic, discipline and practical application that drives the search for perfection.
Six Sigma has a customer focus :
The aim is to ensure that all ou" |
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Six Sigma Special Interest Group
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