Six sigma (6s) is a method quality management, in order to achieve as error free a process as possible. The international standards (like ISO 16949 or ISO 9000ff) describe the requirements, WHAT must be converted, Six sigma offers tools, AS it can happen.

Six sigma sets in particular on an analysis of the actual process, in order to recognize and for an objective statistic analysis to make the parameter, possibilities of error important for the process and process characteristic numbers accessible. The comprehensibleness with the analysis, decision making and with the proof of project success takes special value with Six sigma.

Some enterprises expect proofs over Six sigma quality in the production processes from their suppliers, with which it is to be proven that the supplier produces its goods qualitatively high-quality.

Statistic interpretation

The sigma corresponds to the standard deviation of the Gauss normal distribution. From the number of errors during a process the sigma level can be determined by tables or statistical programs. The following list places the number of errors per one million of produced units to the sigma levels (or also: DPMO = defects by million opportunities) opposite:

   1 691.462 30,85375%
   2 308.537 69,14625%
   3 66.807 93,31928%
   4 6.210 99,37903%
   5 233 99,97673%
   6 3,4 99,99966%

(* DPMO and yield with a one-sided view of the normal distribution; a larger dispersion in the long-term behaviour is already considered by a shift around 1,5 sigma)

Six sigma in the statistic sense expresses thus that under one million possibilities of error (not parts) are to be found less than 4 errors. In production this means that practically a zero-error production is present. According to estimations the quality management methods without Six sigma lie with yields within the range of 3s to 4s. Better results are considered with difficulty possible with conventional process improvement methods only. For some critical ranges even 6s is still too error-prone, e.g. with airlines or electricity enterprises.

Six sigma assumes that the errors of the processes always follow the Gauss (symmetrical) normal distribution. Very frequently however an asymmetrical "logarithmic normal distribution" results.

In this case a wrong (useless) sigma was calculated.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logarithmische_Normalverteilung pours

Qualification

In order to accomplish Six sigma projects in an enterprise, standardized training courses are offered, those according to participant their requirements qualify.

The designations orient themselves thereby at Japanese kinds of combat haven:

• The master Black Belt accompanies projects as a Coach and accomplishes trainings.
• The Black Belt leads larger Six sigma of projects with high statistic requirement. Savings of these projects is about 50 TEUR or more.
• The Green Belt leads smaller Six sigma of projects with savings per project around the 10 TEUR
• The Yellow Belt is a project worker with Six sigma basic knowledge.

History

Forerunners of Six sigma were introduced to the 1970ern in Japanese shipbuilding, later into Japanese electronics and consumer goods industry. Six sigma in the middle of the 80's in the USA was developed with Motorola, whereby it is implemented meanwhile world-wide by numerous enterprises. The largest popularity attained Six sigma philosophy by successes with General Electric (GE). These successes are strongly connected with the name Jack what, which implemented Six sigma at that time with GE. After this method found at the beginning of only in production an application, it found to stronger introduction in the service and service range in the last years ever. Besides is tried at present, Six sigma on wider ranges as to be e.g. adapted the distribution or the banking.

Literature

• Kjell Magnusson, Trade Union of German Employees Kroslid, Bo Bergman: Six sigma convert. Hanser technical book 2004 ISBN 3446216332

to the book: The three authors are experts in the area of the quality management. The book, which appeared original on English, gives a detailed introduction to the term world approximately around Six to sigma and refers to possible problems during the conversion. The current editions contain besides numerous enterprise examples. Likewise a CD-ROM with useful programs is attached.

• Rolf Rehbehn, Zafer Yurdakul: With Six sigma to Business Excellence. Strategies, methods, practical examples. 1. Aufl. Publicis MCD publishing house 2003 ISBN 3895781851 and/or 2. , revised and extended edition, 2005 ISBN 3-89578-261-0
• Armin et al.: Six sigma. 3. Aufl. Springer, Berlin 2004 ISBN 3540218998

to the book: The publisher Armin is a professor to DOES Dresden. This book points bases out of Six sigma and deals besides very strongly with the conversion in practice. For this purpose numerous authors from different enterprises describe their Six sigma beginnings.

• Trade Union of German Employees Kroslid, Konrad Faber, Kjell Magnusson: Six sigma. Hanser technical book 2003 ISBN 3446222944

to the book: This paperback describes on few sides scarcely and precise Six sigma and like this strategy to be converted can. That is supported whole ones by numerous illustrations, Tipps and examples.

• Rath & Strong: Six sigma pocket Guide. publishing house ISBN 0-9705079-0-9

to the book : This kleinformatige paperback (11x15 cm) summarizes the topic in approx. 200 sides briefly and concisely. Great help for the desk for the practical man in the enterprise; the book also still gives it in the modifications to Advanced"Â… for further statistical methods and team for the treatment of the "soft page". Both only in English available.

• W. oh brook, K. dear one, J. Moormann: Six sigma in the financial industry. Bank academy publishing house GmbH 2005 ISBN 3937519130

to the book: Introduction, empiric reports and also opinions from view of advisors describe the application possibilities in service enterprise.

• Mikel Harry, Richard Schroeder: Six sigma. Campus 2000.

to the book: One of the modern classical authors to the topic: The authors Mikel Harry and Richard Schroeder developed the comprehensive quality management beginning Six sigma in the eighties with Motorola. Here is a summary of the book.

• George Eckes: "The Six sigma revolution - How General Electric and Others Turned Process Into pro ts". John Wiley & Sons 2000, 274 sides.

Related links

• http://www.bpm-guide.de/wissen/3 - extensive information portal, article to Six sigma in theory and practice
• http://www.bpm-guide.de/articles/19 - Six sigma - a short overview, the most important characteristics
• http://www.bpm-guide.de/articles/32 - extensive article (> 10 sides) over Six sigma, particularly DMAIC
• http://www.tqmforum.de - information about Six sigma and all ranges of the quality management of students of the FH Pforzheim

Articles in category "Six sigma"

We found here 10 articles.

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