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What Is Six Sigma?
Written by: Peter Peterka
Six Sigma is an integrated, disciplined proven approach for improving business performance. The approach requires defining the process function, identifying, collecting, and analyzing data, creating and consolidating information into useful knowledge and the communication and application of such knowledge to reduce variation.
Six Sigma is a management philosophy. Six Sigma means recognizing the value of defect-free business processes. Fewer defects mean lower costs and improved customer loyalty. The lowest cost, high value producer is the most competitive provider of goods and services.
Six Sigma is a business improvement strategy. It seeks to identify, reduce, and eliminate defects from every product, process and transaction. It uses a structured systems approach to problem solving and strongly links initial improvement goal targets to bottom-line results. Six Sigma is a way to achieve strategic business results.
Six Sigma is a process. Six Sigma is a robust continuous improvement strategy and process. More than a "quality" program, Six Sigma is a business initiative that helps every area of an organization meet the changing needs of its customers, profitably.
Six Sigma is also the definition of a statistical measure of quality, 3.4 defects per million or 99.99966% high-quality. To implement the six sigma management philosophy and achieve the six sigma level of 3.4 defects per million opportunities or less there is a process that is used. Although zero defects is the goal, as a measure, Six Sigma will drive a firm toward achieving higher levels of customer satisfaction and reducing operational costs.
Six Sigma is a robust continuous improvement strategy and process that includes cultural methodologies such as Total Quality Management (TQM), process control strategies such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other important statistical tools. Six Sigma tools and techniques all are found in total quality management. Six sigma is the application of the tools on selected important projects at the appropriate time.
Six Sigma is complementary to other initiatives such as ISO 9000 registration, which is mainly procedural; Total Quality Management (TQM), which is mainly cultural and Statistical Process Control (SPC), which is primarily statistical process control monitoring. All of these initiatives attempt to improve quality levels but typically reach a plateau. The Six Sigma approach goes to the next level.
Six Sigma.us is a leading consulting firm supporting companies implementing the Six Sigma Process by offering Six Sigma Training and Six Sigma Consulting. We help you learn the Six Sigma management philosophy and implement it. We help you spread the message of Six Sigma around your organization simply and clearly.
About the Author
Peter Peterka is the Principal Consultant in practice areas of DMAIC and DFSS. Peter has eleven years of experience performing as a Master Black Belt, and has over 15 years experience in the industry as an improvement specialist and engineer working with numerous companies, including 3M, Dell, Dow, GE, HP, Intel, Motorola, Seagate, Xerox and even the US Men's Olympic Team. Visit his website at http://www.6sigma.us/
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