Six Sigma Overview

Six Sigma Overview

Six Sigma is one of the most popular quality improvement methods. It is the rating that signifies “world class”, with only 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO). The six sigma methods work and result in remarkable and tangible quality improvements when implemented correctly. Today, Six Sigma processes are being implemented in a wide array of organizations and in a variety of functions.

Fueled by its success at large companies such as Motorola, General Electric, Sony, and Allied Signal, the methodology is proving to be much more than just a quality initiative. Why are these large companies embracing Six Sigma? What makes this methodology different from the others? Six Sigma Overview

Have the Six Sigma Overview class presented at your facility.

The goal of Six Sigma and the Six Sigma Overview course is not to achieve six sigma levels of quality, but to improve profitability.  Prior to Six Sigma, improvements brought about by quality initiatives, such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and ISO 9000, usually had very little impact on a company's net profit. The consequences of invisible financial impact caused these quality programs gradually to become the flavor of the month.

In 1891, British physicist Lord Kelvin wrote, “When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it.” Mikel Harry, a noted Six Sigma authority, extends the thought as, “we don't know what we don’t know; we can’t act on what we don’t know; we won’t know until we search; we won’t search for what we don’t question; we don’t question what we don’t measure.” Both imply that if you failed to quantify the results of what you were doing, in a way, it means that you might not understand what you were really doing.

Hence, organizations that are unable to track the impact of quality improvements on profitability can not know what changes need to be made to improve their profit margins. And most importantly, profitability is the natural concern of management in organizations. If a quality initiative failed to present its quantitative bottom-line value to the management, it will lose the management's commitment to it and, eventually, fade away.

In contrast with other quality initiatives, Six Sigma recognizes that there is a direct correlation between the number of product defects, wasted operating costs, and the level of customer satisfaction. In the short term, Six Sigma is a method to eliminate defects and the opportunity for defects. It utilizes a statistical unit of measurement to measure the capability of the process, then achieve defect free performance, and ultimately increase the bottom-line and customer satisfaction.

What Is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is essentially a comprehensive yet flexible system for achieving, supporting, and maximizing business profits. It is a methodology driven by understanding customer needs, and the disciplined use of data, facts, and statistical analysis to improve and reinvent organizational processes for greater profitability.

So what does this really mean? How is it deployed? How can it be best employed for maximum advantage within your organization?

The Six Sigma Overview Course

The Six Sigma Overview course is designed for both new students and students wanting a refresher in Six Sigma tools and techniques.

This is the class you want to get a complete understanding of the Six Sigma process. It's an excellent management overview and employee introduction class. The course includes subjects like "What is Six Sigma?" and "Why should we use it?" It is a terrific orientation course that gives the student an in depth understanding of the Six Sigma system.

The Six Sigma Overview class is only $99.00/person. This includes the 40 page workbook, instructor fees and class handouts. Travel expenses not included.

What Does The Course and Workbook Include?

Introduction

• What is Six Sigma 

• Six Sigma Concepts 

• Why Use Six Sigma 

• Customer Satisfaction & Six Sigma 

• Six Sigma & Profits 

• Six Sigma & Productivity 

• Adding Big Bucks to the Bottom Line 

• Six Sigma Levels 

• Six Sigma Close to Home 

• Six Sigma and ISO 9001:2000 

How to Use Six Sigma

• Core Concepts 

• DMAIC & ISO 9001:2000 

• The "Dashboard" 

• Measurement Methods 

• Case Study #1 

• Case Study #2 

• Six Sigma Improvements 

• Ensuring a Successful Project 

• Measurement Tips & Hints

This course is available as an eclass, also. Click here to enroll in the eclass.

We also have online course available for:

Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt

Additional Resources