Six Sigma is a production management concept based on implementing improvements based on the measurability of any data. The concept of six sigma was developed in 1986 by Bill Smith, an employee of Motorola, and has found wide application in many areas of business. In the mid-1990s, General Electric CEO Jack Welch applied this strategy and it became world famous. In the 2000s, the joint combination of the concept of six sigma and lean manufacturing was widely used. Both concepts are a rethinking of the Gemba Kaizen philosophy.
Six Sigma is an approach to business improvement that seeks to find and eliminate the causes of errors or defects in business processes by focusing on those output parameters that are critical for the consumer.
Six Sigma is a strategic approach that works for all processes, products, and industries.
Six Sigma is a system for monitoring and evaluating the quality of business processes, aimed at reducing the number of defects in products and services.
These quotes fully reflect the description of the concept, if you do not intend to use it:
– a complex technique used by engineers and statisticians of large companies to improve products and processes;
– aims to fully satisfy the needs of the client;
– The process of changing the organization’s culture in order to increase profitability and strengthen market positions.
This concept has much in common with ISO and its 8 principles:
a) orientation (or focus) on the client (consumer, buyer);
b) leadership;
c) staff involvement;
d) process approach;
e) a systematic approach to management;
f) continuous improvement (or continuous improvement);
g) making decisions based on facts;
h) creating mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.
The concept also considers three elements of quality:
- The consumer: Clients determine the quality of goods and services, fairly expecting: a reasonable price, responsibility of the contractor, reliability in cooperation, service support and additional services.
- Process: Quality requires a look at the process from the point of view of the client, because we work to understand, satisfy his needs and find additional opportunities for improving quality.
- The staff: After all, people create results and, accordingly, we must motivate them to maximize customer satisfaction.
