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Source: What is Six Sigma?, Pete Pande and Larry Holpp, McGraw-Hill, 2002.
The six in sigma refers to the highest possible sigma rating, which indicates that a product or service meets all the customers time and quality criteria (delivery on-time and at-quality) 99.966% of the time. This scale recognizes that no process can deliver 100% quality at all times, so 6 is the highest possible sigma rating. These time and quality criteria can be applied to virtually any product or service, so Six Sigma tools can be used in any type of organization that has customers. Six Sigma provides a methodology and a set of tools that help organizations to assess their current level of quality and then improve delivery to customers incrementally, one sigma level at a time. Six Sigma is distinguished from other quality systems by several themes: Focus on the customer rather than process, inputs, or outputs. The sigma level is determined by how well the organization and its processes meet customer requirements. Data- and fact-driven management, with an emphasis on measurement of quantitative data. Process is the key vehicle of success. Six Sigma tools are applied to create major process changes, not only incremental improvements, in order to improve quality. Proactive management. Implementing Six Sigma in an organization requires a high level of management buy-in (often at the executive level or higher) and management champions are held directly accountable for the efforts success. The work is delegated, but accountability is not. Emphasis on root causes, digging down beyond proximal causes to find what is really going on. Creating sustained changes, with control mechanisms in place to ensure changes are sustained over the long term.
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Green Belt
Champion or Sponsor
Implementation Leader
Coach, mentor, and trainer to Black Belts Expert in Six Sigma methodology, tools, and processes Offers hands-on help to Black Belts Similar to Black Belt, but holds a regular position while participating in or leading a Six Sigma team Brings methodology to the day-today work of the organization Initiates and sponsors a Black Belt or team project Directly accountable for project results Aligns project with business goals Orchestrates entire Six Sigma effort within an organization
Executive-level or key operational manager Often member of organizations Leadership Council or steering committee Corporate VP reporting to chief executive Often a seasoned professional in quality or organizational improvement hired specifically for Six Sigma effort May be an experienced executive from within the organization
Black Belts and Master Black Belts are often certified in Six Sigma, but there is no universal or official certification standard.
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