Six Sigma is a methodological approach by which errors in a company’s current processes and plans are identified and strategies to fix the same are formulated. It is fact-based technique, involving a lot of data handling, which provides scientific results for cost cutting and reduction in waste of resources. It is also a fat–based, data–driven philosophy of quality improvement that values defect deterrence over defect exposure. It drives customer satisfaction and bottom-line results by reducing variation and waste, thereby promoting a competitive advantage.It applies anywhere variation and waste exist, and every employee should be involved.
Sigma is a measure of the process variability or spread. Six Sigma is actually a registered trademark of Motorola Inc. , in the USA, who first pioneered Six Sigma methods in the 1980's. Six Sigma is a scientific methodology that strives to accomplish perfect quality in the eyes of the customer. It's a structured presentation improvement process that has nothing to do with martial arts other than the names were taken to dictate the levels of expertise.Importance of Six SigmaSix Sigma is important because it scores much higher over other quality improvement techniques such as TQM.
It really helps when it comes to handling competition, which has increased considerably in today’s business world. Business organizations worldwide have realized that in order to beat the competition, they will have to offer better quality products or services to their customers and that too at competitive rates. Six Sigma helps because it enables business organizations to achieve the above stated objective, which ultimately results in greater customer satisfaction and helps in building customer loyalty.Having a loyal group of customers is always important for any business because it ensures a constant flow of revenues even when there is a cyclical downturn in the industry.Levels of Six SigmaGreen BeltThe first level is completed when an individual finishes two weeks of training and passes the qualifying exam. This level is termed Six Sigma Green Belt, which teaches all the essential methodologies.
The curriculum for the Green Belt involves DMAIC, which stands for five interrelated phases: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.It defines customers, their needs, recommended products and services, the assignment limits and plotting process flow to improve current methods. It measures performance by developing and collecting data from numerous sources and scrutinizing it for flaws by comparing it with surveys. The Analyzing phase bridges the rift between present methods and targeted results. Improving stage works out various solutions to redefine the earlier processes and deploys implementation plans.
The Control stage teaches how to maintain the new changes that have been introduced and maintain the documentation and contemporary systems in accordance with the goals.Black BeltThe Six Sigma Black Belt is awarded to a professional who completes four weeks of training, which involves Green Belt curriculum as well. This phase’s curriculum covers Green Belt subject matter as well. Black belt certified personnel usually train other Six Sigma aspirants and Six Sigma Green Belt holders, and in the process improve their abilities and skills as well. The Six Sigma Black Belt level enables individuals to master the Six Sigma roadmaps, extensive arithmetical methodologies and cross-functional process improvement.
Black belts usually take up responsibility as Six Sigma team leads.Master Black Belt A person who has undertaken more than the required four weeks training and implements it in an organization as a Six Sigma program manager is awarded the Master Black Belt. These personnel are responsible for imparting knowledge to help Green Belt level and Black Belt level learners in improvising on their projects. They apply their skills in an organization by coaching other employees and helping them achieve the Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt certification without the company having to spend on training separately.
