What is Six Sigma?

The Six Sigma Methodology is a set of business tools, statistical theory, and quality control knowledge that helps improve your business procedures. It has the capability of improving performance while decreasing process discrepancy. The methodology helps reduce defects and improve profits, and boosts both staff morale and product quality. The goal is to do away with inconsistency, waste, and defects that challenge customer loyalty.

The Six Sigma Methodology offers a high level of quality that makes every effort to reach perfection in products or services sold by a company, organization, or business. It is an approach that is data driven and very disciplined for the purpose of getting rid of defects. This method will describe quantitatively how processes are performing. Simply put, a defect is anything that is outside customer specifications.

This widely popular tactic has gone through a period of evolution and is now commonly used by the business world. This approach began in the early 1980s. At that time the three sigma difference from mean was considered an error that needed to be adjusted to enhance quality of production. Afterwards several measurement standards were recommended and the concept developed. Today the registered trademark is Six Sigma.  In other words, when a product is within six sigma specifications, there is fewer than 3.4 defects per million opportunities.

The method advanced as a result of practitioners experimenting to resolve problems encountered during production using the process of statistical analysis. The outcome of this analysis was quite inspirational. The results indicated a quicker low cost approach to production and a higher quality product which would ultimately ensure consumer satisfaction.

This is a data driven methodology that leads to excellence in quality production practices of businesses. The improvement in production satisfactorily meets the requirements of a company’s customers. This is a successful and innovative tool that has gained great popularity in the global business world. Over the years, the concept and the tools have been perfected with the help of those who use it.

Everyone who uses the method has contributed to the evolution of the tool. Over time, the tools and strategies have been improved upon by the creative contributions of those who use this strategy within their business. As a result, waste has been eliminated and company productivity and profits have greatly increased. At this point, practitioners believe the methodology has not yet reached its highest potential.

It is up to all management teams when implementing this methodology to ensure that the practice is passed on to those who take their place. This will be possible by management continuing to develop the concept and inspiring those who will come after them. Trained and certified Six Sigma Professionals will take their company to new levels when they perfect and implement their own creative and original approach. Making the method a company standard will help ensure that it will continue to be used for the good of the business.

The Six Sigma methodology has the potential to become a standard worldwide. If the concept becomes an international norm, it can boost business globally. Every business strives to eliminate waste, inconsistencies, and defects that test the loyalty of their customers. This is a tool that increases productivity and decreases costs allowing any business to get high quality products and services to consumers who want and need them quickly.