Six Sigma- want to learn more

Hi all,

Can anyone give me a detailed insight into Six sigma.. what does it mean?Why there are different belts? how to apply six sigma for small private firms? etc..

Waiting to hear from you all..

Regards,
Roopa

Hello,

Six Sigma is a measure of Quality. The term was first used by Motorola in its manufacturing operations. How can we measure Quality? By measuring the number of defects. If you achieve a 6 sigma quality level it will mean you are having 3.4 defects per million. If the process is able to deliver 2700 defects per million then the quality level is lower at 3 sigma.

Imagine the number of defects from your newspaper vendor who drops the paper every day - you can certainly say that he consistently delivers on time almost 100% of days - such quality level is called 6 sigma. One popular example is given for Mumbai Dabbawallas who deliver 175000 lunch boxes every day they make only one mistake in 2 months!! Therefore their quality of service is even better than 6 sigma!!

We can also measure quality by "absence of variation" - lesser the variation better the quality. In other words consistent performance is quality.

We can use this concept to services also - for example we define a certain process for service - " Response to a telephone call in HR department - will pick up phone in less than 3 rings" Now we count how may times this is actually done. If we measure it , we will know if we are at what sigma level.

Various colour of belts are levels of proficiency in using the concept of quality improvement through concept of six sigma.

A master black belt is full time busy identifying quality improvement projects and guides black belts.

Black belts are well trained and are full time working on a six sigma project.

Green belts work on quality project along with other job responsibilities.

Yellow belts are trained in six sigma but not yet completed any project so this is the initial level.

If your organization is small you can afford only yellow and green belts initially. As sparing someone 100% for such projects may be difficult.

Regards
Nishikant

Good post by nishikant

Raed more on websites There are good sites available

great example of Six Sigma is Mumbai Dubbawalla

Study indicates they operate at six sigma level


Siva

__________________
T.Sivasankaran

One common methodology used to implement Six Sigma is DMAIC

D for Define
M for Measure
A for Analyse
I for Improve
C for Control



Siva

__________________
T.Sivasankaran

Thanks Nishikant,

Useful information.

VK

Hi All,

Thank You all for sharing the information.. its is helpful..

Regards