Six Sigma
Data- and method-driven improvement philosophy — target: process capability at 6σ level (≈ 3.4 defects per million opportunities).
Also known as: Six Sigma, 6-sigma
Six Sigma is a management approach for systematic process and product improvement grounded in statistical methods. The eponymous 6σ figure corresponds to a process capability of Cpk ≈ 2.0 and a defect rate of about 3.4 ppm assuming the customary 1.5σ long-term shift.
- Origin — Motorola, mid-1980s (Bill Smith); GE (Jack Welch) took it worldwide
- Framework — DMAIC (improving existing processes), DMADV (new development)
- Roles — Yellow / Green / Black / Master Black Belts, Champions, Sponsors
- Toolkit — statistical (tests, regression, DoE, SPC) and qualitative (SIPOC, Ishikawa, 5-Why, Pareto)
See also
Used in
Sources
- Pyzdek, T. & Keller, P. — The Six Sigma Handbook, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill
- Harry, M. & Schroeder, R. — Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy, Currency/Doubleday, 2000
- Montgomery, D. C. — Introduction to Statistical Quality Control, 8th Edition, Wiley