Six Sigma: myths and realities

Abstract

The Six Sigma approach has set a new paradigm of excellence in any manufacturing ambience. But do the ground realities speak in favor of spending millions of $ budget, when any exotic process centric concept even like Shainin's can also map out process improvement in the similar objective manner? The Define, Measure Analyze Improvement and Control (DMAICR) approach is discussed vis‐á‐vis Deming's cycle, total quality management assessment methodologies including Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Assessment (MBNQA) or European Foundation for Quality (EFQM) framework and of late, much popularized Dorian Shainin's Statistical Engineering (SE). The 3.4 PPM, so‐called quantitative aspect of Six Sigma, is challenged statistically over process variability. The conclusion leads to acknowledge Six Sigma as any other process improvement and enrichment systematic methodology like any other aforementioned improvement initiatives.