Six Sigma Overview

Six Sigma Overview: Six Sigma at many organizations simply means a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving towards six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process -- from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service. Six Sigma is a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. The Six Sigma process uses data and rigorous statistical analysis to identify "defects" in a process or product, reduce variability, and achieve as close to zero defects as possible.

Six Sigma Overview—Training: Six Sigma Training is a special program that involves a combination of public workshops and on-the-job improvement projects by participants. The program is spread over six months to permit time for absorption and implementation of the lessons.  Six Sigma training offers engineers, technically-oriented managers, and analysts the tools to make their processes nearly defect-free. A Six Sigma process means that in 1 million operations of a process, only 3.4 defects would occur. Six sigma training is recommended for the management and champions as well as for any six sigma black belt or green belt. Six sigma training includes:  six sigma black belt training, six sigma master black belt training, six sigma green belt training, six sigma champion training, and design for six sigma (DFSS) training.

A complete Six Sigma training system that will provide you with the key tools and techniques you need to solve over 90% of your quality problems. Six Sigma training is designed to create the skills and knowledge that managers, Champions and Black Belts and others need to implement the project-by-project approach to improvement utilized by Six Sigma.

Six Sigma Overview—Certification: Six Sigma certification is a funny concept. Everyone wants to be certified, but nobody really understands what it means in the industry and how it might enhance your resume outside your current company. Six Sigma certification is a confirmation of an individual's capabilities with respect to specific competencies. Just like any other quality certification, it does not indicate that an individual is capable of unlimited process improvement, just that s/he has completed the necessary requirements from the company granting the certification. Six Sigma certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills and dedication to achieving a high level of competency in Six Sigma process. The Six Sigma certification standards require an individual to pass rigorous training and testing hurdles to gain a six-sigma certification.

Six Sigma Overview—DFSS: DFSS (Design For Sigma Six) is the acronym for Design For Six Sigma. Unlike the DMAIC methodology, the phases or steps of DFSS are not universally recognized or defined -- almost every company or training organization will define DFSS differently. Many times a company will implement DFSS to suit their business, industry and culture; other times they will implement the version of DFSS used by the consulting company assisting in the deployment. Because of this, DFSS is more of an approach than a defined methodology.

DFSS is used to design or re-design a product or service from the ground up. The expected process Sigma level for a DFSS product or service is at least 4.5 (no more than approximately 1 defect per thousand opportunities), but can be 6 Sigma or higher depending the product. Producing such a low defect level from product or service launch means that customer expectations and needs (CTQs) must be completely understood before a design can be completed and implemented.