What Is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma – what does it mean?
Six Sigma at many organizations simply means a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving toward six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process – from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service.
The statistical representation of Six Sigma describes quantitatively how a process is performing. To achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. A Six Sigma defect is defined as anything outside of customer specifications. A Six Sigma opportunity is then the total quantity of chances for a defect. Process sigma can easily be calculated using a Six Sigma calculator.
The fundamental objective of the Six Sigma methodology is the implementation of a measurement-based strategy that focuses on process improvement and variation reduction through the application of Six Sigma improvement projects. This is accomplished through the use of two Six Sigma sub-methodologies: DMAIC and DMADV. The Six Sigma DMAIC process (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) is an improvement system for existing processes falling below specification and looking for incremental improvement. The Six Sigma DMADV process (define, measure, analyze, design, verify) is an improvement system used to develop new processes or products at Six Sigma quality levels. It can also be employed if a current process requires more than just incremental improvement. Both Six Sigma processes are executed by Six Sigma Green Belts and Six Sigma Black Belts, and are overseen by Six Sigma Master Black Belts.
According to the Six Sigma Academy, Black Belts save companies approximately $230,000 per project and can complete four to 6 projects per year. (Given that the average Black Belt salary is $80,000 in the United States, that is a fantastic return on investment.) General Electric, one of the most successful companies implementing Six Sigma, has estimated benefits on the order of $10 billion during the first five years of implementation. GE first began Six Sigma in 1995 after Motorola and Allied Signal blazed the Six Sigma trail. Since then, thousands of companies around the world have discovered the far reaching benefits of Six Sigma.
Many frameworks exist for implementing the Six Sigma methodology. Six Sigma Consultants all over the world have developed proprietary methodologies for implementing Six Sigma quality, based on the similar change management philosophies and applications of tools.
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Good introduction into the basics of Six Sigma.
Definately worth a read.
it is very useful article because six sigma become the way which all the combany take this way to make money
thank you for your effort
best regards
http://1stquality.blogspot.com
Thank you for giving me the meaning of this word ”SIX SIGMA” cuz i hv faced so many problems for this. Thanks once again
It was great to known about six sigma defination from your link..
Six Sigma is very good concept and this knowledge can help company to reduce the tedious task while implementing any project.
I feel every should know about Six Sigma is very important and this link explains in simply words
In the US it’s call “Six Sigma” in Japan it’s called Kaizen or 5 S. I have worked with kaizen and the 5 S since 1993 and with all due repect, I will use these over Six Sigma. (maybe that’s why I keep getting told I’m over qualified) Look at the last sentence. This isn’t process is not taught/instilled with Six Sigma.
5S is the name of a workplace organization methodology that uses a list of five Japanese words which are seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke. Transliterated or translated into English, they all start with the letter “S”. The list describes how items are stored and how the new order is maintained. The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization which builds a clear understanding among employees of how work should be done. It also instills ownership of the process in each employee.
thanx for six sigma group 4 basic vew
I worked under 6-sigma at AT&T. I found it to be an in-humane system that SCRUTINIZES employees way more than what is reasonable. This system treats humans like MACHINES. It puts a computer in command of the person as judge over every move you make. This is like being MICROSCOPED from 50 different parameters… then the boss starts hammering everyone for better efficiency, or accuracy or percent this percent-that. In a highly technical job it is IMPOSSIBLE to attain all the unreasonable goals they push for. It is a RECIPE for someone to go postal… was my experience. I finally had to quit the $32.00 dollar/hr job and go somewhere else that treats me like a human being… for $10.00 per hour! My family is really suffering now. I lost my retirement plans and I am 55 years old! Computers should not be judges of human productivity. Maybe AT&T implemented it wrong or something… I just cant believe all the people commenting on this page sounding like six-sigma is some kind of wonderful thing!!! what is wrong with you people?
spot on!!
you are so right.
i work for TYCO under 6-sigma , and all what you said is so true,…
James, thanks for sharing your honest comment. I work for a very large global company where corporate management is always pushing six sigma, and I couldn’t agree with you more!
Sounds to me like it’s a management issue, not six sigma. It’s entirely possible to implement, and if implemented right, keep the abilities of the employee’s in line. If you focus purely on cost, you get the situation where they nit-pick every thing.
Implemented right you can have both worlds, a better work environment, and a better production throughput and quality.
Sounds like a great system if you’re a drone cranking out millions of widgets. I’m an Computer Systems R&D Engineer where we make anywhere from one to 10 systems. 6-sigma would be a complete waste of time for what I do. The sad thing is that there is lots of managers out there that everything should be done using 6-sigma including R&D. I interviewed with a few of these nut jobs and come to the conclusion it is a big red flag to stay away because idiots are in charge.
s-sigma is a joke!
IT SOUNDS LIKE DR. DEMMINGS RETURN FROM JAPAN
STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL SOLD UNDER ANOTHER NAME TO ME. I MET DR. DEMMING IN THE 1980′S HE WAS A NICE, KIND, AND GENTLE PERSON
WITH A GOOD APPROACH TO QUALITY IN A MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
Deming did return from Japan, after he taught them the six sigma processes. There’s a reason the highest honor for quality in Japan is called the Deming award.
The standard practice of turning numbers of efficiencies with the way the human brain thinks is all in retraining our thought process and our view of what can be humanly achievable, it can be shown to employees on a chalk board daily and that process alone will increase productivity along with ownership from employees.
David Mundy’s response (08 February 2011 02:50) stemming from his plight is understandable and possibly something that all ‘scientific’ management exponents must take into account when using these techniques.
These tools should not become the means for removing people from the job but used to see how human-machine-process interactions can be smoothened to achieve objectives. Unfortunately it is not just the consultants but even short-sighted managements, who are responsible for this mess.
I am a general proponent of efficiency in manufacturing cycles and the use of six sigma techniques. However, in many industries I say a push for the use of six sigma when the number of products produced is one or two. What on earth is the six sigma on a sample of one? Using techniques to improve the production of an item is the normal work of engineers of all disciplines. I would prefer that we all work towards that goal without increasing compartmentalization of the work.
Hi,
I have 11 yrs experience into training – IT. I head the training department for a large organization and have was member of SEPG team in my previous organization. Now i would like to take up both training and quality. Please suggest ideal way to get into quality and what would be the career scope after acheiveing the recommended certifications.
Thanks in Advance.
laxmi six sigma is a very wide concept it not only helps in production department but also helps in each & every department of an organisation ………
Six Sigma is a business management strategy first developed by Motorola in 1986, used widely by many successful companies in a wide variety of industries. The core of Six Sigma is to seek improvement in the quality of process outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects, and minimizing variability in business and manufacturing processes. The term comes from the notion that if “one” has six standard deviations between the process mean and nearest specification limits—practically no output will fail to meet specifications.
Very nicely explained Six Sigma.
I am a general proponent of efficiency in manufacturing cycles and the use of six sigma techniques. However, in many industries I say a push for the use of six sigma when the number of products produced is one or two.
Thanks.
really six sigma is the very usefull to any organisation.