Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a fact-based, data-driven approach of quality improvement. It values defect prevention over defect detection. It focuses on customer satisfaction and drives bottom-line results by reducing process variation and "waste".

Although Six Sigma originated in the manufacturing area, its tools are universal and its principles can be applied in any industry: simply anywhere where variation and waste exist. Like any initiative it is important that it's supported by the management and every employee should be engaged and involved.

There are many definitions of Six Sigma:

Six Sigma - a philosophy

All work can be separated into processes that can be defined, measured, analyzed, improved and controlled. A process is a black box which requires inputs and produce outputs. If you control the inputs, you will control the outputs. Reduce variation in your business and make customer-focused, data driven decisions.

Six Sigma - a set of tools

The Six Sigma practitioner uses qualitative and quantitative techniques to drive process analysis and improvement. The tools box holds hundreds of them, some are very specific to problems, but a few tools are widely know such as control charts, flow charts or FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis)

Six Sigma - a methodology

This conception recognizes the underlying and rigorous approach known as DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control). DMAIC is a structured problem solving roadmap that defines the steps a Six Sigma practitioner is expected to follow, starting with identifying the problem and ending with the implementation of long-lasting solutions. DMAIC is not the only Six Sigma methodology in use, but it is certainly the most adopted and recognized.

Six Sigma - a metric

In simple terms, Six Sigma quality performance means no more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. You want to be Six Sigma in the "Critical to Quality" characteristics.

There is also an initiative called Zero Defects

A practice that aims to reduce defects as a way to directly increase profits. The concept of zero defects lead to the development of Six Sigma in the 1980s.