SIX SIGMA - 6 Sigma principle

From a quality approach to a client-focused management

6 Sigma, What about the principle ?

If we can measure, we can correct
6 Sigma method offers technics and tools in order to improve drastically capability of processes, while reducing defects at the same time.
Originally oriented towards production processes, the method searches for absolute regularity. Variability is indeed a source of client dissatisfaction. The customer expects a product with a certain quality, according to a specific standard. Not being up to guarantee the whole production respecting this standard is particularly costly for the company. In fact, final quality variability is mainly the consequence of components (of the products fabrication) instability, of work procedures imprecision and more globally of processes complexity.
Six Sigma imposes to keep in the limitations by applying the following principle :
"If you can measure how many defects you have in a process, you can systematically figure out how to eliminate them and get as close to zero defects as possible."
In other words, to sum up :
"If it can be measured, it can be corrected." The objective is to refocus the curve on the target.
In the end, 6 Sigma doesn't allow more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities for each product or service.

6 Sigma levels of performance

Six Sigma levels of performance	DPMO Defects Per Million Opportunities
1	690,000
2	308,500
3	66,800
4	6,210
5	233
6	3.4

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Copyright : Alain FERNANDEZ - 1998-2009- All rights reserved

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