Six sigma

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Six sigma is a business improvement methodology, originally developed by Motorola to systematically improve processes by eliminating defects. Defects are defined as units that are not members of the intended population. The objective of Six Sigma is to deliver high performance, reliability, and value to the end customer. Since it was originally developed, Six sigma has enjoyed wide popularity as an important element of many total quality management (TQM) initiatives.

The process was pioneered by Bill Smith at Motorola in 1986 and was originally defined as a metric for measuring defects and improving quality, and a methodology to reduce defect levels below 3.4 Defects Per (one) Million Opportunities (DPMO), or put another way, a methodology of controlling a process to the point of plus or minus six sigma (standard deviations) from a centerline (for a total span of twelve sigma). Six sigma has now grown beyond defect control. It is now commonly used to obtain detailed information regarding customer, employee and shareholder demands and then using this information to improve process and product design.

The core of the Six Sigma methodology is a data-driven, systematic approach to problem solving, with a focus on customer impact. Statistical tools and analysis are often useful in the process. However, it is a mistake to view the core of the Six Sigma methodology as statistics; an acceptable six sigma project can be started with only rudimentary statistical tools.

Still, some professional statisticians criticise six sigma because practitioners have highly varied levels of understanding of the statistics involved.