A Brief Guide To Learn About Six Sigma
What Is Six Sigma?
Definitions of Six Sigma
Six Sigma is.. “A measurement denoting near perfection, representing six standard deviations or 3.4 million defects per million operations; the ideal against which actual performance is measured.” [Tomsett, 2005]
“Six Sigma is a rigorous, focused, and highly effective implementation of proven quality principles and techniques.” [Harry and Schroeder, 2000]
Six Sigma.. “is a business process that allows companies to drastically improve their bottom line by designing and monitoring everyday business activities in ways that minimize waste and resources while increasing customer satisfaction”[Pyzdek and Keller, 2010]
“Six Sigma is a problem-solving methodology. In fact, is the most effective problem-solving methodology available for improving business and organizational performance.”[Cygi et al, 2005]
WOW!!! the definitions were taken from four different books, even though each one deals with the same subject, it is clear that Six Sigma can be viewed from different angles. Thus have different meanings.
I know that may sound odd, or even stupid, but it is not. If you look at the definitions you’ll see that they are complimentary, i.e. they add something new to each other.
Bottom line: the main focus of six sigma is to improve performance, to have a measure to compare your business processes against, and to strive for perfection. That’s all.
For the sake of simplicity and easy to grasp concept you can say that
Six Sigma is a methodology.
The good thing is that outlines a method, i.e. a way of doing things in a predictable and measurable way, and that’s exactly what you need to improve, a consistent an predictable way of doing things.
REFERENCES & FURTHER INVESTIGATION
Thomsett, Michael C.(2005) "Getting Started in Six Sigma
"John Wiley & Sons
Harry, Mikel (PhD); Schroeder, Richard (2000) "Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World's Top Corporations
"Double Day
Pyzdek, Thomas; Keller, Paul A.(2009) "The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition
"McGraw-Hill
Cygi, Craig; DeCarlo, Neil; Williams, Bruce(2005) "Six Sigma for Dummies
"Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Who Invented Six Sigma?