Learning Six Sigma On My Own?

I think that learning Six Sigma to the point where it would be truly beneficial would not work very well given the parameters that you have outlined.  I say that for a couple of reasons:
1.  Without a project to apply the priniciple to it is simply an academic exercise.
2.  The true value of Six Sigma is that as you deploy it into an organization you drive it to the point that it becomes a part of your business management culture.  Even if you never realized this strategic value, the tactical value requires projects in order to be successful.
My suggestion is put together a strong business case to move your organization to Six Sigma and sell it to your Senior Leadership.  I don’t understand how any manager in any organization wouldn’t pursue a course that would provide the breakthrough results that Six Sigma does.
I hope that this helps.
Jim J.

That response, while humorous, is only applicable in some organizations.
Where I work, there are definitely things to overcome with regards to implementing Six Sigma, but there is no doubt that 1) Top management supports it, and 2) true financial gains are being realized, and people are making progress that without the Six Sigma roadmap and statistical tools would be improbable.
So to the original person who posted here…I would suggest at minimum that you find a way to take classes (blackbelt training) when possible, and go from there.
 

Hi everyone,
I’m also interested in learning Six Sigma on my own to the point of being capable of leading an implementation effort.  I am a former consultant and have plenty of experience selling-advocating-implementing improvement projects in manufacturing environments.  I also have decent statistics knowledge having implemented DOE in the past.
I have found titles, but nothing that I could call a handbook for someone willing to train him/herself.  I do not have the means to pay for individual training either and are currently unemployed.  I’m aiming to work with a Six Sigma firm and eventually pursue a Black Belt certification through the ASQ once I attain a certain level of experience and practice.
Can anyone recommend good and specific resources other than paying for individual training to Six Sigma consulting firms?
Thank you for the advice.

Interested,
I would suggest you take Jims advice very seriously about not having a project. If you want to read books and study that is great but until you become a practitioner you will always be a spectator in the sport. I don’t think most really mind the spectators except when they choose to participate by trying to egage pratitioners in “what if ” scenarios and esoteric BS.
In short you can learn it academically. The best overall guide is to use this website as a starting point. This will give you a diversity of opinions that may keep you objective. If you watch the discussions and the articles you see Pros and cons rather than the preaching of dogma that you typically get when you try to follow one author. There is absolutly no advantage to becoming a xenophobic because you are locked into using one tool.
Figure out what gets discussed and what is pertinent to your business and fill it in with reading.
If you intend to be effective at some point you will not be able to be effective if your only skill is the stats. You need to understand change, Lean, change overs, financial skills, etc.otherwise you will truncate some portion of the project.
Final comment. I cannot imagine a situation where you could not have a project. I was in Albuquerque last week at the home of a MBB (you figure out who it was). After several years of paying spinkler experts to fix the lawn sprinklers he was trying it himself. In the 11 hours I was there he ran a DOE on sprinkler heads. Modified some to alter the spray pattern and ran a confirming DOE. We were sitting on the porch watching some of the modified designs run when he said “Can you ever get away from this SS s__t?” “Nope” “I didn’t think so.”
I had two BB candidates at Sumitomo ran DOE’s that I thought were very creative. One used Legos and the other used frying eggs. John Hathaways daughter ran a DOE baking cookies. She created a measurement scale using shades of brown paint chips from a paint store (granted have John to help you with a DOE is a huge advantage).
I can’t imagine why you can’t come up with a project.
Good luck.

Marc,
I agree with most of your list. Anything by Juran, Montgomery or Deming is useful. Deming and Juran possibly in the context of the time it was written. I would add “Managerial Breakthrough” by Juran as a must. It was were the original thought on the difference between control and breakthrough was written down.
Grant and Levenworth isa great standard for SPC but the acceptance sampling is not very useful any more.
I would add the following:
Six Sigma for Managers – it is new and it is selling – read it so you at least understand what the management thinks they understand
The Goal – TOC you just have to understand the concepts.
Lean Thinking – Good basics that integrate well with Six Sigma. If you lean to do this stuff well you will eliminate the number of misfires on BB projects.
The Toyota Production System – Monden was there when it began, this is the “unmoved mover” stuff. It will be a real long time before we see any group have the impact that Monden, Ohno, and Shingo had – why wouldn’t you read it?
Straight Talk on Designing Experiments – the only book I have found that really integrates all the different types of designs so you learn to make a strategic decision on which design fits your application best.
Leadership is an Art & Leadership Jazz – Max DePree just explains leadership better than anyone I have read
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Just relavant
Managing at the Speed of Change – Nothing is more relavant
Future Shock – gives you roots
Anything by Shingo.
As you read these you have to mix in some Carl Hiaasen and James W Hall or else you will become so boring nobody will have anything to do with you.
Good luck.

SQE,
You are welcome.

Believe it or not you can do it on your own.  Hee hee.  The first thing you have do do is get your head focused in the right direction.  If you are ready to give up,,,  I understand.  If you are ready for one more round, let me know.   tdunn@htcomp.net
Good luck,
You can do it!  Hee hee