SIX SIGMA
The six sigma philosophy maintains that reducing
“variation” will help solve process and business
problems. By using a set of statistical tools to
understand the fluctuation of a process, management can
begin to predict the expected outcome of that process. If
the outcome is not satisfactory, associated tools can be
used to further understand the elements influencing the
process.
Most six sigma programs focus on process
improvement. These efforts seek to eliminate the causes
of variation in processes while leaving the basic process
intact. In six sigma terms, process improvement teams
find the critical “Xs” (causes) that create unwanted “Ys”
(defects).
A definition of a six sigma project is “a problem
scheduled for a solution with corresponding metrics that
can be used to set project goals and monitor progress.”