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Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a systematic way to improve processes using analytic and statistic methods. What is special about Six Sigma in comparison to other process improving methods, is its ansatz. One assumes that every business process is described as a mathematic function.
The SixSigma method
The origins of many Six Sigma principles are found in the teachings of influential quality thinker such as W. Edwards Demng and Joseph Juran. In some companies quality and Six Sigma belong together.
In contrast to other quality programmes, Six Sigma is not only striving for quality for the sake of quality; Six Sigma is striving for quality, if it raises the value for both, the customer and the company.
The systematic 5-phases modell is focusing on the improvements of failure. The elimination of important failure sources leads to the significant improvement of the netbenefit and it provides the base to improve entire systems in order to achive an even better efficiency.
Displayed here: the 5 phases of the Six-Sigma improvement processes, briefly called DMA/C-Cycle
| What is the problem? |
| How can effects be measured? |
| What are the major causes for the problem? |
| How can the problem be solved? |
| How is the solution implanted in the company on a long-term basis? |
This method is deduced from the classical PDAC (Plan / Do / Act / Check) by W. Deming.
Based on this method, there are many tools ( the 7x7 toolbox) that help to identify and to document the problems in existing processes, to turn processes measureable and to carry out analysis.
Advantages of Six Sigma
- Six Sigma generates sustainable success. Growth and constancy in fast-moving markets can only be achieved if steady innovation and alteration of the organisation is guaranteed. Six Sigma sets the basis for a new culture and a constant renovation which is described as a "closed loop".s
- Six Sigma sets motivating goals for everybody. Every department, every division and every employee has different ideas and goals. Six Sigma uses this basis, processes and customers to create a closed bunch of aims. Everybody who understands the expectations of his customers, can value his performance in comparison to the "perfect" Six Sigma Aim of 99,9997 percent.
- Six Sigma increases the value for the customers. Only good or failure-free products as well as companies with a long tradition cannot guarantee a lasting success these days. To live Six Sigma means to find out which expectations and ideas customers have and, then, to plan how they can be met in an economic and efficient way.
- Six Sigma is supporting steady learning. In the 1990's, the idea of a learning organisation, a concept that everybody likes but that is hard to realize, was coming up. The Six Sigma method is providing an approach that can strenghten the development and spreading of new ideas within an organisation.