About

About Six Sigma

In all types of business, industry, or activity, decision-making is a vital part of the routine. The results of many decisions are very often based solely on intuition and/or experience.

Six Sigma removes the personal element by quantifying the issues and using statistics to provide a means of determining probabilities of success and failure.

Although experience and tribal knowledge are not eliminated from the process, quantifiable validation is required prior to acceptance of decisions.

The ultimate goal is to produce six sigma companies whose systems and processes are as close to perfection as possible.

The six sigma approach is rigorous, requiring total commitment from the highest levels of management. We emphasize the development of leadership support from the executive level down. It requires a tolerance for endless questioning of the validity of sacred company beliefs.

The program is culture change, with the Black Belts and Champions as the agents of change. It requires tenacity, mental toughness and, above all, dedication to the pursuit of perfection.

What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a structured, data driven methodology that can be applied to any aspect of business. It is used to improve customer satisfaction, eliminate waste and increase profit. The premise is that where work is being done, waste is being generated. The higher the waste level, the greater chance of poor customer satisfaction, higher cycle times, increased defect rates and most importantly profit loss.

Through classroom instruction, in-house support and deployment of the six sigma tools throughout your business, your Black Belts will identify and quantify problems and then translate those problems into an equation with a solution.

What is a “Sigma Level” and why do we need six of them?
A sigma level is the number of standard deviations we can fit between the mean and the nearest specification. This allows us to translate a sigma level into a probability. It is a quality measure used to compare the capability of a process to meet a specification. It is also an indicator that correlates directly to a defect rate. Simply stated, the lower the sigma level, the higher the defect rate.

With this knowledge, the desire would be to have our companies operate at a 6-sigma level because it is the lowest possible defect level. At this level, we can claim only 3.4 defects per million parts produced long term. (Or 99.9999998% within a specification short term). Most companies today operate between 3 and 4 sigma levels.

Is 1% defective too much?
Yes! Six Sigma is not a statistics program. Statistics are used solely as tools for interpretation and clarification of data. The focus is on tool selection, use and interpretation of data. Calculations are left to computers and software.

The Six Sigma Product
Simply put, our product is innovative development.

By introducing new practices into your business, we are able to break down barriers that change your company’s culture. Black Belt candidates are encouraged to think “outside-the-box”, eliminating “I think” and “I feel” from their problem-solving vocabulary.

We understand that meeting the growing demands of customers and shareholders is essential for a company’s survival. Therefore, we do more than ensure that candidates absorb the required technical expertise. Through on-the-job training, six sigma methodologies are transferred into the core of your business, your people. We then provide you with Black Belts and Champions to maintain long after we leave. We do not just come in, solve your problems and leave. Instead we empower your employees with the tools they will need for success.

The six sigma Methodology consists of dMAIC (design, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control). The first of these (dMA) is the understanding of critical elements of the process. These help you to identify and tear down organizational barriers. The last part (IC) is the dynamic process optimization. These teach you how to control the X’s to predict the Y’s.

We take great pride in knowing that together we have developed a comprehensive material, which not only serves as a teaching aid, but also as a reference material for years to come.

What to look for in a Six Sigma Provider?

A Six Sigma provider should be:

  • Personally available for as long as it takes
  • Mentors for life
  • Professionals who measure and define your needs
  • Master Black Belts who believe totally in the Six Sigma methodology
  • Dedicated to the Pursuit of Perfection
  • Applications experts
  • Recognized for granting only authentic Black and Green Belt certification
  • Equipped with an Exit Plan that empowers organizations to sustain the program for life

A Six Sigma provider should not be:

  • A 9-to-5 service
  • One-time trainers
  • A provider of services you dont need
  • A group of salesmen
  • Satisfied with the status quo
  • Statisticians
  • Sellers of Black Belt and Green Belt Certification
  • On the payroll for life