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What is SixSigma?

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 towards 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.

Six Sigma is a methodology that most of the Multinational companies are adopting in order to standardize their procedures and improve their processes. For this reason these companies have different internal programs running the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) roadmap.

DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) Roadmap are the five phases of the "Six Sigma" methodology:

• Define - Define the goals of the project and solidify the customer deliverables (internal and external.)
• Measure - Evaluate current performance and take metrics.
• Analyze - Determine root cause of defects through analysis.
• Improve - Process improvement through defect elimination.
• Control - Future processes are controlled by performance indicators.

Six Sigma is not unlike any other major initiative in an organization. In order for the deployment to be successful, it is important to have a very senior executive sponsor who will break through barriers and create a sense of momentum and reality to the deployment project. Additionally, a single person should be assigned to lead the implementation of the methodology and develop a detailed plan that coordinates all the necessary resources.

Six Sigma is a set of practices originally developed by Motorola to systematically improve processes by eliminating defects. Particulars of methodology were originally formulated by Bill Smith at Motorola in 1986.

The term "Six Sigma" refers to the ability of highly capable processes to produce output within a defined specification. Six Sigma attempts to define an engineering quality yardstick, which will ensure that a process defined by it will not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. The math applied to this philosophy is similar to the one which attempts to assess failure using the MTBF formula. However, it's a useful formula from the standpoint of anyone wanting to raise the awareness of manufacturing enterprises to the obvious improvement from the introduction of quality checks and balances to existing processes.

for more details please visit www.sixsigmaonline.org or www.ge.com/sixsigma