It seems too often that I see belts attempting to analyze a process from their desk. The mentality being that the math will do the work for them, and unlock the secrets of the universe. Why do we get so tangled up around the math? Six Sigma requires only a basic understanding of statistical methods. We are so worried whether the p-value is .05 or not, so concerned that we must never skip a step in Six Sigma playbook, that we forget to just look at the process and use a little critical evaluation in our thought. Many posts on this site seem to indicate that this mindset is common place. How many strings begin asking about cpk, t tests, or using control charts with non-normal data. Don’t get me wrong these tools are valid, and I do not advocate abandoning them, but use some intelligence before blindly employing them just so you can present another number that will not be understood by anyone but you.
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