What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma (6Σ, 6σ) is a quality management methodology that provides businesses
with the tools to improve the capability of their business processes.
This increase in performance and decrease in process variation leads
to defect reduction and improvements in profits, employee morale and
quality of product. This quality measurement and improvement program
was pioneered by Mikel Harry and Motorola. It focuses on the control
of a process until the point of six sigma (standard deviations) from
a centerline, or 3.4 defects per million items. It includes identifying
factors which are critical for the quality as determined by the customer.
It reduces process variation and improvement capabilities, increases
stability and designs systems to support the six sigma goal.
The Six Sigma model is a highly disciplined approach that
can help companies to focus on developing and delivering near-perfect
products and services. It is based on the statistical work of Joseph
Juran, a Rumanian-born US pioneer of quality management. The word "Sigma"
is a Greek sign used for a statistical term that measures how far a
given process deviates from perfection (standards deviation). If the
sigma number is higher, you are closer to perfection. One sigma is not
very good; six sigma is defined as only 3.4 defects per million. The
central idea behind Six Sigma is that if you can measure how many "defects"
you have in a process, you can systematically figure out how you can
eliminate them. Thus you can almost come to "zero defects".
The Japanese origin of Six Sigma can still be seen by the system of
"belts" which it uses. If you are new to Six Sigma and you go on a basic
training, you get a green belt. Anyone who has the responsibility for
leading a Six Sigma team is called a black belt. Finally there is a
special elite group called Master Black Belts who supervise the Black
Belts.
Five Steps in Six Sigma. Process
Typically, a Six Sigma process has the following five stages:
- Definition. The first step in any Six Sigma project is to clarify
the problem and narrow its scope in such a way that measurable goals can
be achieved within a few months. Then a team is assembled to examine the
process in detail, suggest improvements, and implement those recommendations.
In the manufacturing world, project managers and their sponsors typically
begin by defining what constitutes a defect and then establish a set of
objectives designed to reduce the occurrence of such defects.
- Measurement. In the second step of a Six Sigma project, the team
gathers data and prepares it for high-level analysis.
- Analysis. Once a process has been mapped and documented, and
the quality of the hard supporting data has been verified, the Six Sigma
team can begin the analysis. The
team members usually start by identifying the ways in which people fail
to act as needed, or by identifying the ways in which people fail to ensure
effective control at each stage.
- Improvement. Recommend, decide and implement improvements.
- Control. In the final stage of a Six Sigma project, the team
creates controls. These are enabling the company to sustain and extend the
improvements.
Forum discussions about Six Sigma.
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Six Sigma DMAIC and DMADV
Two Six Sigma sub-methodologies are called:
DMAIC - Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control, and
DMADV - Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify.
They are both systematic, structured and fac...
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The 5 x Why Method (The 5 Whys)
DESCRIPTION OF THE 5 WHY METHOD
The "5 x why" method has been developed by Toyota to perform an iterative Root Cause Analysis of production-related problems. The "5 x why" method is one of the availa...
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Focus of Six Sigma: The 6 Rights
Six Sigma management can focus on following 6 Right (Rights):
- Right Support
- Right Project
- Right Road Map (DMAIC)
- Right People (training)
- Right Tools
- Right Result (high performance, h...
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Six Sigma for Marketing
Six Sigma for Marketing (SSFM) is the newest Six Sigma variant.
SSFM links interdependencies of strategic marketing, tactical & operational processes. It proactively drives growth (e.g., new offering...
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Six Sigma in Medical Transcription
How can Six Sigma be used in the field of medical transcription? What are all the gradients that need to be worked on in medical transcription with Six Sigma? Editor: Medical transcription is the p...
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Differences Between Six Sigma and TQM
Although invented at Motorola, Six Sigma has been perfected at General Electric. GE is truly the home of Six Sigma. The factors differentiating Six Sigma from Total Quality Management are Six Sigma's:...
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Evaluating Six Sigma Project Leaders
How can I evaluate the talent of Six Sigma project leaders (presentation skill, answering, strategic thinking, and so on)?
What grading and evaluation of the factors do you recommend?...
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Six Sigma Manufacturing Example
Businesses who are not very active in quality management most of the time have a process quality from 2 or 3 sigma. This means a failure of about 66.700 products per million opportunities. At first si...
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6 Sigma Timeframe/Period
Hi..., I have a concern regarding the execution of 6 sigma... When a business has to move from one sigma level to another, for how long we have to measure and analyse and how long (approximately) does...
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7 Key Principles of Six Sigma
In brief, Six Sigma is a methodology that ensures quality processes are followed every time to reduce variations.
The 7 key principles of Six Sigma
The seven key principles of Six Sigma are:
A...
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Courses about Six Sigma.
Beginners Course
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Advanced Course
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Course for Experts
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The best, top-rated topics about Six Sigma. Here you will find the most valuable ideas and practical suggestions.
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3 Additional Six Sigma Levels
Besides the Sigma levels 1 to 6, we can actually also distinguish between 3 other levels of using Six SIgma:
A. Use Six Sigma as a statistical measurement unit (comparable to degrees or dollars)
B. ...
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Implementing Six Sigma: Roles
The following names (some are from martial arts) are used for Six Sigma professional roles:
Sponsor - Senior executive who sponsors the overall Six Sigma Initiative.
Leader - Senior-level executive ...
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Tools for Finding Root Cause in 6 Sigma
Which tool is preferable in Six Sigma methodology to detect or find the root cause from special cause variation and then solve accordingly? And how to differentiate if the tool is suitable to use for ...
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Preparing Six Sigma: Requirements
In order for Six Sigma to be successful in an organisation, the concept should be embraced from the grass roots to top management.
Involvement of all stakeholders should be emphasised, as data is gen...
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Evaluating Six Sigma Projects
How can I evaluate the quality of 6 Sigma projects (logical think, creative, right tools, effectiveness and so on).
What grading and evaluation of the factors you recommend?...
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Advanced insights about Six Sigma. Here you will find professional advices by experts.
Consultancy Tips
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Teaching Tips
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Practical Implementation Tips
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Six Sigma Implementation Principles Implementing Six Sigma Succesfully In the article 'Six Sigma - the route to business excellence' (Management Services, Winter 2005), John Morgan argues tha...
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Six Sigma Approaches / Steps Compared DMAIC, DMADOV, DMAEV, DABTL Commonly Six Sigma projects focus on re-designing processes and systems and improving performance of existing systems. W...
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Good Six Sigma Project Management Six Sigma Project Characteristics In their article 'Six Sigma in Service Organizations' (International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 2...
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Hypothesis Testing in Lean Six Sigma Explained SS Hypothesis Testing How to do simple hypothesis testing in lean six sigma? How to simplify the basic roadmap in a hypothesis test?
Using th...
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6 Management Responsibilities in 6 Sigma Six Sigma Implementation, Best Practices The six imperative responsibilities top managers must take on in the early stages of a Six Sigma process:
1. Develop a ...
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Human Sigma Improving Employee-Customer Encounters Although Six Sigma is an extremely powerful tool in manufacturing contexts, it falls short when it comes to the employee...
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Six Sigma in Service Organizations Benefits According to Jiju Antony ('Six Sigma for Service Processes', Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2005),...
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How Six Sigma Supports TQM TQM, Six Sigma Forrest B.Green suggests in a paper called: Six-Sigma and the Revival of TQM that Total Quality Management (TQM) is unde...
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Six Sigma Lessons Learned Process Improvement of Six Sigma Projects Although six sigma programs typically start of well, they all too often fail to have a lasting impact as participants gr...
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Six Sigma in Service Organizations Challenges and Difficulties Although the adoption of a Six Sigma business strategy in service organizations can lead to considerable benefits, follo...
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3 Critical Success Factors for Six Sigma Projects Getting results out of a 6 Sigma project 3 Critical Success Factors of a Six Sigma project are: 1 Executive Engagement: - Support consistently the organization ...
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3 Six Sigma Variants Differences in Six Sigma Approaches Behind the success of 3 major companies who innovatively applied Six Sigma in Supply Chain Management there are differen...
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Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) Testing Measurement Systems, Improving Measurement Systems, Assessing Measurement Systems WHAT IS MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS ANALYSIS (MSA)?
MSA is a type of experiment whereby you measure the same item or object rep...
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Generic Six Sigma Project Ideas Identifying LSS Projects Here are some general 6 Sigma project ideas:
• Reduce expenses at…
• Reduce scrap…
• Reduce downtimes… or increase up...
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Design for Six Sigma Supply Chain & Quality In addition to the two common key methodologies: DMAIC and DMADV of Six Sigma, there is another separate approach which ...
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How to Make Value Stream Map? Tips Making a Value Stream Map, Creating a Value Stream Map Hi, here's a great explaining youtube clip on tricks for making a VSM. Enjoy!...
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DMAIC Approach is Sequential, But... Six Sigma Implementation The DMAIC approach is designed to allow for flexibility and iterative work, if necessary. As more is learned through thi...
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The DMAIC Process Step by Step Example Six Sigma Implementation, DMAIC Process In order to better illustrate the DMAIC process, consider the case of a janitorial company that wants to boost the calib...
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Lean Six Sigma Programs Driving Innovation Based on an analysis of Caterpillar and other companies that used lean Six Sigma programs to drive broad-based innovatio...
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CCR and CTQ Six Sigma Method What Key Overall Requirements are there?
Requirements come from the customer (VoC) and the business (VoB), depending on...
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Six Sigma Improvement Team Composition and Procedure Six Sigma Six Sigma teams should be multidisciplinary. The diversity of perspectives in the team — which includes someone with exp...
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Appropriate Sample Sizes in Six Sigma Six Sigma The first question faced by a statistical consultant, and frequently the last, is, “How many subjects (animals, units) d...
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Radical Innovations Assessing Your Level of Preparedness According to the article “Using a Lean Six Sigma Approach to Drive Innovation” by George Byrne, Dave Lubowe and Amy Blit...
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Control Charts and Control Limits Controlling the Process Elements of a Control Chart
There are three main elements of a control chart
1. A control chart begins with a time ser...
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Various sources of information regarding Six Sigma. Here you will find powerpoints, videos, news, etc. to use in your own lectures and workshops.
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Six Sigma Dictionary (250 terms) 6 Sigma Terms Short explanation of 250 six sigma terms. By Luis Garcia Guzman....
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Great Truths about Six Sigma Introducing SIx Sigma Humorous introduction to Six Sigma with cartoons from various cartoonists....
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Six Sigma Explanation Business Process Improvement Definition of “Six Sigma”
Six Sigma Best Practice Implementation framework
Key Ingredients for a Successful Six Sigma ...
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Lean Assessment Tool Lean / Six Sigma Assessment Spreadsheet calculates current and future Lean and Six Sigma scores based on scoring in 28 criteria. Generates Lean Over...
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Six Sigma Intro Introduction to SS Introduction presentation by lakhanpalv....
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Y=f(x) + E DMAIC Project Control This document guides and helps you through the DMAIC process using the well known Six Sigma formula Y=f(x) + e....
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Six Sigma Calculator Calculating DPM and PPM Determine the process performance in terms of Defects Per Million (DPM) or Parts Per Million (PPM)....
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Business Process Management and Improvement: Six Sigma, BPR and (R)Evolutionary Change Process Management, process Improvement, Business Process Reengineering, BPR, Six Sigma Presentation about process management, particularly process modeling simulation and design. The presentation focuses on ...
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SS Origins and Destinations Six Sigma and Sustainability Presentation by Prof. Rick Edgeman explains DMAIC, DFSS, the role of 6 Sigma in biophysical sustainability, environmenta...
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Introduction to Project Quality Management Quality Management, Project Quality Planning, Project Quality Assurance, Project Quality Control Presentation about Project Quality Management. A large part of the presentation is about Six Sigma as a quality manageme...
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Overview Six Sigma Six Sigma Method Presentation defines Six Sigma as a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects in any pro...
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8 Wastes Assessment and 5S Analysis in Office Environments Lean, 5S , WASTE In the office environment, our work does not take place on our desks, but on our computers and in our digital networks. ...
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Six Sigma Demystified Powerpoint MEASURE – SIX SIGMA IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGY
A. Ask each Customer: What do you need from the service / product we provi...
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Using the Whys Method Six Sigma, Toyoda, Toyota, Lean Production, Root Cause Analysis To solve a problem effectively, you need to drill down through the symptoms to the underlying cause. Sakichi Toyoda, one...
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Plan for Every Part Lean Production, Parts Management, Value Stream Mapping, Continuous-flow Manufacturing Business Managers are making progress in realising flow as more they learn about VSM (Value Stream Mapping) and continuo...
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Jidoka Lean, HoT Japanese manufacturing techniques have had a major affect on the approaches taken in manufacturing and management in man...
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Continuous Sampling Planning Sampling The concept of continuous sampling planning originated in 1943 by Dodge. Known as CSP-1, continuous sampling is used whe...
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Battle of Champions in Performance Improvement: Six Sigma versus Lean Performance Improvement Lean Six Sigma While both Six Sigma and Lean focus on waste reduction as a key aim (recognizing waste comes in many forms), this is the...
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Six Sigma Diagram Quality Assurance Download and edit this 12manage PowerPoint graphic for limited personal, educational and business use.
Republishing in ...
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Certifications from Various Accreditation Agencies Six Sigma Certifications The attachment gives an overview of existing Lean Six Sigma Certifications.
When you want to find or become yourself a ...
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Errors in Hypothesis Testing Errors in Hypothesis Testing An article with example how we can circumvent errors in Hypothesis testing.
Setting the value of α is not automati...
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A Guide to Control Charts Applying Control Charts, Types of Control Charts Control charts have two general uses in an improvement project. The most common application is as a tool to monitor proc...
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Rolled Throughput Yield Calculating Yield of a Process Rolled Throughput Yield allows us to expose the "hidden factory" by providing visibility into the yield of each process ...
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Sample Size Calculation Calculating Sample Size, Determining Sample Size The first question faced by a statistical consultant, and frequently the last, is: “How many subjects (animals, units) d...
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Design of Experiments (DOE) Designing Experiments, Designing Statistical Experiments Quality managers who understand how to apply statistical tools for Design of Experiments (DOE) are better able to suppor...
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Six Sigma Capability Studies Determining the Six Sigma Level For many years industries have used Cp, Cpk, Pp and Ppk as statistical measures of process quality capability. Some segm...
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Useful tools regarding Six Sigma.
News
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Videos
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Books
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