An Introduction To Six Sigma ProcessSix Sigma is an approach towards process improvement. Six sigma process is a business driven, multi-faceted approach that looks for process improvement measures achievable at low cost and giving maximum profits. The main objective of the process is to earn the customer satisfaction by eliminating defects in a process and delivering quality-rich products to the customers. As six sigma business process brings about quality improvement, it is employed by many business and manufacturing organizations for better performance and results. It is estimated that six sigma process can deliver a process that has 3.4 parts per million defects. This is an astonishingly low rate of failure. A six sigma process consists of steps based of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC). The quality improvement team works within this improvement framework defined by six sigma process. Within this framework the quality improvement team has to identify the process, define the defects in the process and define the corresponding measurements. The six sigma process is designed in such a way that it can easily be integrated with the current system or software implementation. This useful process was first developed in 1980s by the Motorola company. In 1990s the detailed version of the process came in to existence and it was appropriate for incorporation in large manufacturing companies. As stated earlier the main objectives of six sigma process are to control the defects, improve customer satisfaction and thus gain profitability. The six sigma process has to achieve high product quality, cost minimization and schedule adherence to satisfy the customers and this could be done by eliminating existing defects in the process. The process is based on statistical thinking paradigm. The statistical thinking paradigm regards everything as a process, that all processes have certain variable features. It regards that the data differentiates a process from the other and is also responsible for driving process improvement decisions. This paradigm is practically achieved by DMAIC model. In a six sigma process, the first thing done by the quality team is to define the goals to achieve customer satisfaction. Once they are defined the quality improvement team proceeds to the next steps of measurement, analysis, improvement and control. In six sigma process the relevant metrics for quality improvement which are based on engineering models and principles are identified and then worked upon. As six sigma process is of utmost advantage for quality improvement in a process, the business and manufacturing companies look for individuals who are possess knowledge of six sigma process and lean six sigma process. Individuals can obtain training on six sigma process improvement tools and concepts from places like WPI Corporate and Professional Education school in United States. Thus, a six sigma process is important for quality improvement of a process. It is not an easy concept that can be self-learnt and professionals linked with the process management or quality improvement field require proper training towards the learning of this process. |