Average customer rating:
- Boring...
- Great introduction to Six Sigma
- Excellent primer on Six Sigma - recommend it!
- A Great Outline of Six Sigma
- The big DUH
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What Is Six Sigma?
Pete Pande , and
Larry Holpp
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0071381856 |
Book Description
A brief introduction to Six Sigma for employees
Six Sigma is today's most talked-about system for improving the quality of organizational processes. Written by bestselling author Peter Pande,What Is Six Sigma? is a concise summary of the core themes and processes of Six Sigma. Unlike almost all other books on Six Sigma, it is written for the employees of organizations rolling out Six Sigmanot just managers. This helpful overview describes what Six Sigma is, why companies are implementing it, and how employees can make it a success in their own organizations.
Based on the bestselling The Six Sigma Way, this accessable introduction to Six Sigma answers typical employee questions, concerns, and even skepticism about this revolutionary program. Includes:
- The six themes of Six Sigma
- A five-step roadmap to Six Sigma implementation
- The 10 basic tools of Six Sigma, with an entire page devoted to each
Download Description
Six Sigma is today's most talked-about system for improving the quality of organizational processes. Written by bestselling author Peter Pande,What Is Six Sigma? is a concise summary of the core themes and processes of Six Sigma. Unlike almost all other books on Six Sigma, it is written for the employees of organizations rolling out Six Sigmanot just managers. This helpful overview describes what Six Sigma is, why companies are implementing it, and how employees can make it a success in their own organizations.
Customer Reviews:
Boring..........2007-05-10
This is sort of an idiot's eye view of the 6 Sigma process. I think it might be useful if you are trying to sell a six sigma program within your organization and your co-workers are like the characters featured in the Dilbert comic strip by Scott Adams. Especially the pointy haired boss.
There are better resources to use in understanding the value of six sigma.
Great introduction to Six Sigma.......2007-01-27
It may not be the most complete book of Six Sigma, but it is short, easy to understand and conveys the meaning of Quality to a greater audience.
Excellent primer on Six Sigma - recommend it!.......2007-01-23
Questions answered by this book
- What is Six Sigma and how does it work?
- What are the new roles employees play in Six Sigma?
- What is the Six Sigma problem-solving process?
- Why Six Sigma is not a flavor-of-the-month management trend?
- How does Six Sigma impact the bottom line?
- How does it impact jobs?
- What is a Six Sigma team and how does it operate?
- What you need to know to be successful in a Six Sigma team?
- How will your customers be affected by Six Sigma?
The Six Sigma Success Story
Approach
- Puts customer first
- Uses facts and data
Targets
- Improving customer satisfaction
- Reducing cycle times
- Reducing defects
Not merely a quality initiative ¡V it is a business initiative
- More than small, incremental improvements => requires breakthroughs in every area of operation
- Reaching ¡§Six Sigma¡¨ => Almost no defects
- Goes beyond statistics => total management commitment and philosophy (excellence, customer focus, process improvement, measurement)
- 80+ years of evolution: ¡§management science¡¨ => TQM => GE/Motorola/J&J/AmEx adoption
Six Sigma vs. TQM
- (External) Customer Focused
- ROI
- Working smarter, not harder (management philosophy)
Six What? What¡¦s a Sigma?
Definition
- Statistical measure ¡V of performance, product or process
- Goal ¡V toward near perfection
- Management System ¡V lasting business leadership and world-class performance
Pizza delivery window example ¡V deliver between 11:45 and 12:15 ¡V anything outside is a ¡§defect¡¨
- 2 Sigma: 68% on time
- 3 Sigma: 93%
- 4 Sigma: 99.4%
- 6 Sigma: 99.9997% (3 defects per million)
Good Sigma Measure
- Focuses on measuring what paying customers of a business care about ¡V outputs not inputs
o CTQs (Critical to Quality): customer requirements and expectations
- Provides consistent ways of measuring and comparison across processes (e.g., pizza baking vs. pizza delivery)
Six Sigma as a Goal
- 3 defects per million sounds like an abnormally high goal ¡V actually there is a compounding of failures in different processes, so end-to-end customer experience is much worse than the defect rates of individual processes
- Failures have a domino effect (e.g., one dissatisfied customer spreading the news)
Six Sigma as a Management System
- Management plays a key role (e.g., Jack Welch linked 40% of bonus of managers to Six Sigma performance)
- Ultimately success or failure depends on implementation at front-lines
The Six Themes of Six Sigma
1. Genuine Focus on the Customer
2. Data and Fact Driven Management
3. Processes Are Where The Action Is
4. Proactive Management
5. Boundaryless Collaboration
6. Drive For Perfection: Tolerate Failure
Six Sigma in Your Organization
Implementing Six Sigma - Three approaches
1. The Business Transformation (enterprise-wide)
a. Rapid change
b. Chaotic
2. Strategic Improvement (middle path ¡V one or two critical business needs)
a. High-Pri Opportunities
b. Not comprehensive
3. Problem Solving (leisurely ¡V most risky approach ¡V target most nagging issues)
a. Least disruptive
b. Risky as it doesn¡¦t fix underlying org issues
Roles
- Black Belt
o Full-time dedicated to Six Sigma change opportunities
o Usually works alongside a team assigned to specific Six Sigma project
- Master Black Belt (MBB)
o Coach and mentor to Black Belts
o Expert in Six Sigma analytical tools
- Green Belt
o Trained in Six Sigma skills
o Has a ¡§real¡¨ job, i.e., part-timer on Six Sigma
o Brings new concepts and tools of Six Sigma to day-to-day activities of business
- Champion and/or Sponsor
o Exec or key manager who initiates and supports Black Belt / Team Project
o Ultimately accountable for the success of the project
o Often member of Leadership Council or Steering Committee
- Implementation Leader
o Typical titles are ¡§Vice President for Six Sigma¡¨ or ¡§Chief Sigma Officer¡¨
o Orchestrates Six Sigma across enterprise
o High stress position => Typically temporary (few years)
o Conscience of top management
Certification Process
- Based on passing a test and completing certain number of projects
The Six Sigma Team¡¦s Problem-Solving Process: DMAIC
DMAIC ¡V pronounced ¡§duh-MAY-ick¡¨ - Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control
- Improvement, problem-solving, and process-design teams are the most visible and active component of a Six Sigma effort.
- These teams are created to solve organizational problems and capitalize on opportunities
- Led by a Black Belt or a Green Belt
- Members come from different departments, job levels, backgrounds, skills and seniority
- DMAIC is the common process that members use
In working with the DMAIC process, the team interacts with the larger organization, interviews customers, gathers data, and talks to people whose work will be affected by its recommendations.
The DMAIC Team Life Cycle
Phase 1: Identifying and Selecting Projects
o Meaningful
o Manageable
Phase 2: Forming the Team
o Good working knowledge of the problem
o Not too deeply rooted (i.e., not be a part of the problem º)
Phase 3: Developing the Charter
o Written Guide (may evolve during the course of the project)
o Includes reason, goal, basic project plan, scope, roles and responsibilities
Phase 4: Training the Team
o DMAIC process (totals 1-4 weeks ¡V spread across project)
Phase 5: Doing DMAIC and Implementing Solutions
o Teams are responsible for implementing their own solutions (no hand-offs)
o Project Plans, Training, Pilots and Procedures, Measurement => Implementation
Phase 6: Handing off the Solution
o Eventually teams disband
o Formal handoff to ¡§Process Owner¡¨
What makes DMAIC different?
- Measuring problem
- Customer Focus
- Root Cause Analysis
- Breaking Old Habits
- Risk Management
- Measuring results
- Sustaining change
Five DMAIC Steps
1. Define the Problem
a. What are we working on?
b. Why on this particular problem?
c. Who is the customer?
d. What are the customer¡¦s requirements? (VoC = Voice of Customer translated to reqs)
e. How is work currently being done?
f. What are the benefits of making the improvement?
Output of this is the Charter which typically includes
- Business Case
- Problem / Opportunity and Goal Statements
- Constraints / Assumptions
- Scope
- Players and roles
- Preliminary Plan
Includes Voice of Customer translated into Customer Requirements, High-Level Process Diagrams showing 5-10 major steps in the process.
2. Measure
a. Gather data to validate and quantify opportunity
b. Begin teasing out facts and numbers to get clues on causes
Check out Figure 4-1 on p. 34 for a good illustration of measurement in different stages -
Output (end results)
Process (things that can be tracked and measured)
Input (things coming into the process)
Output Ys and Process Xs
o Y: measures of results
o X: measures of inputs
X The challenge for the DMAIC team is to figure out which of these Xs has the most impact on the problem being tackled.
Once it is determined what to measure, DMAIC team forms a ¡§data collection plan¡¨
o Move from comfortable conference room to ¡§real world¡¨ of getting people to count and quantify
o Getting cooperation from customers, colleagues, and suppliers is critical
3. Analyze
a. Analysis to find ¡§root cause¡¨
i. Sometimes root causes are evident
ii. Often buried under piles of paperwork, process complexities, etc.
b. Root Cause categories (5M and 1P)
i. Methods (procedures or techniques)
ii. Machines (technology)
iii. Materials (data, instructions, forms, files)
iv. Measures (incorrect or intrusive)
v. Mother Nature (chance factors)
vi. People
4. Improve
a. This step ¡V solution and action ¡V is where many people are tempted to jump right from the start of the project. In fact the habit of starting to solve a problem without first understanding it is so strong that many teams find it a challenge to stick with the objective rigor of the DMAIC process.
b. Truly creative solutions that address the underlying causes of the problem and that people working in the process find acceptable don¡¦t grow on trees. And once new ideas are developed, they have to be tested, refined, and implemented.
c. Assumption busting and other creativity exercises help the team shake up its thinking and approach idea generation in new ways. The team may also look at other companies or other groups in their business to see whether they can borrow ¡§best practices.¡¨
d. Once several potential solutions have been proposed, the analytical headsets go back on, and several criteria, including costs and likely benefits, are used to select the most promising and practical solutions. The ¡§final¡¨ solution or series of changes must always be approved by the Champion and often by the entire leadership team.
e. At this point ¡§Improve¡¨ becomes ¡§Implement¡¨
i. Solutions have to be carefully managed and tested
ii. Small-scale pilots are practically mandatory
iii. Teams go through ¡§potential problem analysis¡¨ to determine risks
iv. New changes have to be ¡§sold¡¨ to critical org members
5. Control
a. Monitoring process to keep track of the recommended changes
b. Response plan for dealing with problems that may arise
c. Keep management focus on Xs (the big ¡§root causes¡¨)
d. Sell project through presentations and demos
e. Hand-off project responsibilities to day-to-day work owners
f. Ensure support from management for the long-term goals
Survivor¡¦s Guide to Six Sigma
- Fundamental Six Sigma principle ¡V ¡§people close to the work are often best equipped to improve it¡¨
- At the same time organizational leaders need to provide direction and be fully engaged
- Trick: Create process that is both top-down and bottom-up
- Putting Six Sigma in place is not a step-by-step rote effort, but rather an evolving learning experience
If called to join DMAIC team, ask yourself
- Am I comfortable working in a team setting?
- Will my workload allow me the time to do a good job?
- Do I really have something to contribute?
- Will I have a say in what the team recommends?
Success Factors
- Engaged Champion - senior management sponsor who is interested in the outcome and willing to provide resources and support the team
- Available Time - of the core team members
- Influence or Control ¡V Core team should include members responsible for part of business intended to be changed
- Alignment with other efforts ¡V No overlaps or conflicts with competing projects
- Accountability ¡V You and your teammates should feel accountable for getting your projects done, as should the Champion and even your own boss, who may drag you away from the DMAIC work if he or she doesn¡¦t see it as important.
Data Gathering Challenges
- Computers and IT group often don¡¦t offer the type of numbers or detail needed for DMAIC analysis
- Black Belts and their colleagues have to pull data from the process manually, using people in the process to count or measure
Why join the Core (DMAIC) Team?
- Experience (overall business management perspective)
- Exposure (recognition from senior leaders)
- Excitement (real issues => making a difference)
- Enlightenment (learn to ask better questions and make fact-based decisions)
A Look Inside the Six Sigma Toolkit
Tools for Generating Ideas and Organizing Information (see p. 52-55 for illustrations)
- Brainstorming
- Affinity Diagramming
- Multivoting
- Structure Tree
- High Level Process Map (SIPOC Diagram) ¡V Supplier, Input, Process, Output, Customer
- Flow Chart (Process Map) ¡V Details of Process
- Cause-and-Effect (Fishbone) Diagram
Tools for Data Gathering
- Sampling
- Operational Definitions
- Voice of the Customer (VOC) Methods
- Checksheets and Spreadsheets
- Measurement Systems Analysis
Tools for Process and Data Analysis
- Process-Flow Analysis
- Value and Non-Value-Added Analysis
- Charts and Graphs
o Pareto
o Histogram
o Trend
o Scatter Plot
Tools for Statistical Analysis
- Tests of statistical significance
- Correlation and Regression
- Design of Experiments
Tools for Implementation and Process Management
- Project Management Methods
- Potential Problem Analysis and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
- Stakeholder Analysis
- Force Field Diagram
- Process Documentation
- Balanced Scorecard and Process Dashboards
A Great Outline of Six Sigma.......2006-12-27
This book is touted as a primer and that it outlines for employees the core ideas of Six Sigma and I found that it did just that. The authors work their way through the Six Sigma process step by step and in a clear easy to follow manner that anyone could benefit from.
For me I was a little disappointed because I wanted more detail about Six Sigma but that is not the intention of this book (as described on the backcover) and as such should not have been expected by me.
This is a great book for anybody who wants a quick overview of what six sigma is or for those who want to get some basics under their belt before they begin Six Sigma training. I learned enough here that I feel confident enough to understand the pros and cons of Six Sigma and capable to begin reading higher level texts on the subject.
The big DUH.......2006-03-25
This book is good enough at what it sets out to do, which is to define the major concepts and terms used by members of the Cult of Six Sigma. Spoiler alert: Six Sigma is process improvement using logic and data. (Well, duh!) Now you can save yourself nine bucks.
Book Description
This book is about the use of modern statistical methods for quality control and improvement. It provides comprehensive coverage of the subject from basic principles to state-of-art concepts and applications. The objective is to give the reader a sound understanding of the principles and the basis for applying them in a variety of both product and nonproduct situations. While statistical techniques are emphasized throughout, the book has a strong engineering and management orientation. Guidelines are given throughout the book for selecting the proper type of statistical technique to use in a wide variety of product and nonproduct situations. By presenting theory, and supporting the theory with clear and relevant examples, Montgomery helps the reader to understand the big picture of important concepts. Updated to reflect contemporary practice and provide more information on management aspects of quality improvement.
Customer Reviews:
Do not buy this CRAM book........2007-01-22
If you want to understand and pass a subject, you have to read the original book (here Introduction to Statistical Quality Control by Montgomery) and try to understand the examples and the concepts in the book. In addition you have to do several exercies in this book to reinforce this understanding. Studying some outlines, highlights and notes prepared by other people won't help you much.
Sacred Book on SQC.......2007-01-12
If you are looking to be well versed on the principle of Statistical Quality Control, then you need this book.
Great SPC book.......2004-08-14
Used this book in a graduate level course on SPC. The book and the excercises were interesting and highly informative, as are all of Dr. Montgomery's numerous texts. Most concepts are backed up with liberal examples to help understand the theory and cement the concept and their practical applications, and run the whole gamut from management to electrical engineering problems. Many of the tables in the back of the book, such as the random number table, are outdated due to computers, however these may have been dropped in the new version of the text.
good book worst service.......2004-06-30
the book is very good ..no doubt but the service is aweful.
1. on the website they show it is a hardcover book and so i ordered for it but got a soft cover book ...now i have to worry about return or refunds etc...
2. had to wait for 3 weeks to get the book.
3. print quality aweful ...the original book has good color print...the one i received for the same price has a black and white print with very thin see-through pages...
my advice would be to avoid abebooks.com through amazon if possible because the same book is listed for $ 33 on their own website and here they sell it for $ 41 ...so waste ur money if u want.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about SPC.......2003-09-12
As the developer of the QI Macros SPC Software for Excel, customers often call with exotic questions about statistical methods for quality control.
Montgomery's book, more often than not, is the one I turn to for answers that I can't seem to find anywhere else. Even if I do find the answer in another book, it's always easier to understand in Montgomery's. The book is written in a way that makes seemingly incomprehensible statistics understandable. And there are plenty of examples.
If you're looking for a book to help you implement quality control in a small business, Montgomery's book is a bit too much, so you might consider my book on the Small Business Guerrilla Guide to Six Sigma or Six Sigma Simplified.
Book Description
This companion guide to the bestselling The Six Sigma Way focuses on the project improvement teams that do the real, in-the-trenches work of Six Sigma—measuring performance, improving quality and saving millions in the process.
The Six Sigma Way Team Fieldbook is a highly practical reference for team leaders and members, outlining both the methods that have made Six Sigma successful and the basic steps a team must follow in an improvement effort. Written by three veteran trainers of Six Sigma “Black Belts” and teams at GE, Sun Microsystems, and Sears, this hands-on guide helps teams obtain the skills they need to identify a product, service, or process that needs improvement or redesign; gather data on the process and the rate of defects; find ways to improve quality up to a Six Sigma level—just 3.4 defects per million; and much more.
* Includes dozens of data-gathering forms and Six Sigma tools and worksheets
* Describes key improvement methods in a concise “how-to” format with checklists and tips
Download Description
This companion guide to the bestselling The Six Sigma Way focuses on the project improvement teams that do the real, in-the-trenches work of Six Sigma-measuring performance, improving quality and saving millions in the process.
Customer Reviews:
Very Helpful resource!!!.......2007-10-05
This is a very helpful resource for me as a new blackbelt. The more I learn, the more this book makes sense!
Six Sigma Way Team Fieldbook.......2007-03-24
An excellent resource for new Black Belts. Describes the DMAIC phases in plain english. A definite must for anyone training in the DMAIC methodology.
A priceless guide full of hundreds of templates and examples.......2006-11-12
As a Transactional Six Sigma Black Belt, this has been one of the most useful six sigma books I own. It contains a wealth of illustrations and tools that are priceless in terms of teaching process improvement teams basic six sigma methods. Using this book, people in process improvement can learn to apply many of the basic six sigma concepts.
I cannot stress enough, the number of useful illustrations and examples that are in every chapter in this book. Where most six sigma books tell you what six sigma is and how to analyze and measure, this one gives you the communication tools that are essential for getting and keeping an improvement project on-track.
Although many six sigma people would disagree with me on this point, I am a firm believer that Process Improvement & Management is the program to achieve business change success and six sigma is a tool to help accomplish and control the improvements.
A must read and a bargain-priced book. I recommended it to every process improvement team I lead and the feedback is always a "Wow - what a book!"
Looking for Cost Reduction, Increased Productivity, and Loyal Costumers - This is the practical implementation guide .......2006-07-17
Six sigma is a quality system that has helped world class companies save millions and gain costumer. It was brought into fame by the legendary Jack Welch during his years at General Electric.
This book is a practical implementation guide and the companion for "The sis sigma way: How GE, Motorola, and other top companies are honing their performance". Buy this book if you are already involved in a sis sigma initiative in your organization, either as a black belt, green belt, or champion. If you are looking for an introduction to fundamentals an systems implementation, you may do better with "The sis sigma way: How GE, Motorola, and other top companies are honing their performance", which is a comprehensive self-help guide to adapting and using the six sigma system under various conditions. Half of the book focuses on implementation through a detailed and flexible five-step "road map", filled with practical directions.
Either if you are looking to solve an specific process problem, or want to implement six sigma company wide, both books will help you develop a method that fits the specific needs of your company or organization.
Classroom training for Six Sigma costs what!.......2005-11-05
I began my journey to learn about Six Sigma around a year ago. At that time I investigated classroom training on Six Sigma. The cost for Six Sigma training was far too expensive for my management team to seriously consider. My most viable option was to train myself. I bought seven, yes seven, books on the topic of Six Sigma. This book was the best of the seven resources I purchased. This book is an inexpensive resource for training. I would also recommend an introduction to Six Sigma to supplement this book. My recommendation would be, "What is Six Sigma?" (another book by Pande). I have several years of quality experience so not every newcomer can just read a book. For most business process improvement efforts this book can give you the education to be dangerous against company waste and inefficiencies.
Book Description
Applying this revolutionary management strategy to drive positive change in an organization
Currently exploding onto the American business scene, the Six Sigma methodology fuels improved effectiveness and efficiency in an organization; according to General Electric's Jack Welch, it's the "most important initiative [they] have ever undertaken." Written by the consultant to GE Capital who helped implement Six Sigma at GE and GE's General Manager of e-Commerce, Making Six Sigma Last offers businesses the tools they need to make Six Sigma work for them--and cultivate long-lasting, positive results. Successful Six Sigma occurs when the technical and cultural components of change balance in an organization; this timely, comprehensive book is devoted to the cultural component of implementing Six Sigma, explaining how to manage it to maintain that balance. The authors address how to create the need for Six Sigma; diagnose the four types of resistance to Six Sigma and how to overcome them; manage the systems and structures; and lead a Six Sigma initiative. This book applies the Six Sigma approach to business operations across the organization--unlike other titles that focus on product development. Plus, it provides strategies, tactics, and tools to improve profitability by centering on the relationship between product defects and product yields, reliability, costs, cycle time, and schedule.
George Eckes (Superior, CO) is the founder and principal consultant for Eckes & Associates. His clients include GE Capital, Pfizer, Westin, Honeywell, and Volvo. Eckes has published numerous papers on the topic of performance improvement and is the author of The Six Sigma Revolution: How General Electric and Others Turned Process into Profits (0-471-38822-X) (Wiley).
Customer Reviews:
Highly Recommended!.......2004-03-02
George Eckes' experience in quality control includes an instance where he had the temerity, just out of college, to ask W. Edwards Deming, then an octogenarian, to elaborate on his views about quality. "Those are the most stupid questions I have ever heard! Go read some of my books," the cantankerous quality czar responded. No one reading this volume can doubt that Eckes has done his homework ever since. His blend of experience, theoretical expertise and common sense make this a very effective Six Sigma manual, although it is a little light on case studies. One of the book's most valuable elements is Eckes' keen analysis of the pitfalls that can flush all your best Six Sigma intentions down the tubes, even as a row of consultants tell you it is a panacea for all your woes. We recommend this book to anyone who is about to call a consultant and venture into the Rasputin world of Six Sigma.
5 Stars= Six Sigma.......2003-09-28
Having read or attempted to read an assortment of books on Six Sigma, I must say this one was an easy, informative read. The book reads like what it is, written by a person who has taught people Six Sigma skills for years. The author seems to have used Six Sigma tools on his teachings. He has found out what areas people have had trouble comprehending and has come up with easier ways of explaining it or provides examples.
Could you read this book and come away knowing everything about Six Sigma there is to know. No, but this book will keep you interested, give you an excellent start. You could accomplish quite a bit with the tools provided here.
I would strongly recommend this book to anybody interested in Six Sigma. If you are in business today and aren't aware of the ideas of Six Sigma you are missing out.
I do have to admit to being a follower of W. Edwards Deming management methods for years and have always had a problem with Six Sigma "gurus" not admitting to using many of his ideas. I'm sure it helped win me over to see George Eckes giving Dr. Deming credit where credit is due.
The best book on Six Sigma.......2002-08-09
I like the explanations and the format of this book. Sometimes authors try to help by including strange diagrams that confuse you. This book is simple and to the point, from a person who knows how to explain things. Other books I have seen just describe what Six Sigma is or try to show why the discipline works but nothing more. I would have liked a bit more technical definitions and procedures. I hope this author makes an expanded 6Sigma book with more technical stuff, clear color charts , better paper quality, and to follow a project though from begining to end. Another great book (although with similar limitations) is Design for Six Sigma, by Subir Chowdhury.
Buy them both and compare the two disciplines.
Real-Life Success Stories are Through-Out the Book.......2002-08-08
The six sigma benefits are process management, improvement, and measurement implemented daily. Top company leaders recognize the six sigma is synonymous with constant reinvention of their business and gain success through sustained customer satisfication both internally and externally. Six Sigma business are held the highest standards of 3.4 defects per million opportunities. The belief that tool usage used for measuring results should be easy and simple. The silo-breaking effort produces strong communication and collaboration throughout the company. Core competence is improved as the company makes a strong commitment to learning and training as the standard. The six sigma way involves increase expense for training, resource, and employee time allocation; but numerous case studies suggest the end result is increase productivity. Increased productivity can apply effectively to both service and manufacturing businesses.
What is six sigma? 1. A focus on the customer 2. Fact based management style 3. Process focus and improvement 4. Proactive management 5. Boundaryless Collaboration 6. The drive for perfection but tolerance of failure 7. 3.4 defects per million opportunities performance standard.
What is the improvement Cycle? DMAIC (define,measure, analyze, improve, and control) 1. Identify the problem and define requirements 2. Redefine the problem and measure key steps 3. Analyze the root causes of the problem 4. Develop improvement ideas to remove root causes and create standards of performance measurement. 5. Establish control measures to maintain performance and correct problems as needed.
How does a company determine whether six sigma is right for them? The authors expand that six sigma is a company cultural change. Case studies indicate the change can be profitable but requires tremendous commitment, resources, and time to implement effectively. The authors assess readiness with three questions: 1. Is change a critical business need now 2. Can the company come up with a strong rationale for applying six sigma to their business 3. Will the existing improving systems be capable of achieving the change needed. A deeper understanding of what six sigma can do for the organization is requested. Scope analysis answers the question of what is feasible in terms of resources, attention, and acceptance. A timeframe analysis answers the question of how long will management be willing to wait for results.
Where to go from here. 1. Develop a strong rationale supporting six sigma methodology in your organization 2. Management plans and actively participates in implementation 3. Create a vision and market plan 4. Become a power advocate of the process improvement cycle 5. Set clear objectives 6. Hold yourself and others accountable 7. Demand solid measurements of progress and results 8. Communicate results and setbacks to the organization. 9. Organize roles (black belts, green belts, and master black belts) 10. Select the project with the biggest impact on the organization.
In short, The six sigma way is a big improvement over Total Quality Managment. It signifies a much higher standard of quality and connects management closer to the improvement effort. A ranking structure of black belts and master black belts brings the best expertise to facilitate improvement in the project. Accountablity and communication increase learning, cooperation, and leverage creativity and focus, in the problem solving stages. Because management is actively participating training, resources, and individual talent is effectively configured. The focus on the customer helps identify how to bring value and increase competitiveness.
The Six Sigma Revolution - The Best In Tactical Excellence!.......2001-11-25
The Six Sigma Revolution by Mr. George Eckes is an excellent road map to corporate tactical excellence.
The book leads us to a clear understanding of exactly how to implement the mission of Six Sigma: a scientific method of strategic business management by fact and data to promulgate Excellence in corporate performance and corporate culture through continuous planned quality improvements in business process management.
The Six Sigma Revolution is the best book that offers a complete process to achieve the key tactical component of Six Sigma: process management excellence!
Making Six Sigma Last, another book by the author, successfully teaches us the way to achieve the cultural component of Six Sigma: corporate cultural excellence.
The Six Sigma Revolution is an outstanding work that is enjoyable and very enlightening. It is an important contribution to Six Sigma practice that's very easy to read, comprehend, and implement.
The Six Sigma Revolution is perfect for corporate executives, managers, employees, consultants, quality practitioners, teachers and students of best business practice.
Thank you George, for the outstanding inspiration of The Six Sigma Revolution.
Regards,
Marc St.James
November 24, 2001
Amazon.com
Six Sigma is a data-driven management system with near-perfect-performance objectives that has been employed to acclaim at leading corporations like General Electric. Its name is derived from the eye-catching statistical target of operating with no more than 3.4 defects per one million chances, but Peter Pande, Robert Neuman, and Roland Cavanagh--associates in a firm providing Six Sigma implementation, training, and management services--contend its principles can be applied in businesses of all types to routinely reduce costs, improve productivity, increase market share, and achieve other positive results. The Six Sigma Way is their comprehensive self-help guide to adapting and using the system under various conditions. Its first two parts cover fundamentals and provide specific suggestions for aligning the process with individual needs and goals. (These include sections on balancing potential costs and benefits, clarifying objectives, and defining time frames.) The final part, which accounts for more than half the book, focuses on implementation through a detailed yet flexible five-step "road map" tied to a company's core processes, key customers, current performance, "high-potential improvement opportunities," and future practices. While the procedure is quite complex, diligent managers should be able to bring at least basic components to their organization with the tools and techniques provided. --Howard Rothman
Book Description
Six Sigma is a system for improving the quality of organizational processes. It was originally developed at Motorola in the 1980's and has become one of the most widely discussed and reported trends in business over the past two years, thanks largely to the phenomenal successes of the Six Sigma program at one of the world's most successful companies, GE. GE CEO Jack Welch, has been preaching about and implementing the Six Sigma philosophy throughout GE, and credits the program with millions of dollars in annual cost savings and product quality improvements.
Download Description
Six Sigma -- the organizational quality system made famous by GE's legendary Jack Welch -- has set new standards for process improvement. The Six Sigma Way is the first book to provide basic, non-technical information on understanding and implementing Six Sigma. Eye-opening success stories show how companies including GE, Motorola, Allied Signal, and others have used Six Sigma to produce millions in cost-savings and quality improvements. Written to give managers a basic overview of what Six Sigma is and how to implement it, The Six Sigma Way covers the application of Six Sigma across all industries.
Customer Reviews:
Horridly boring........2007-09-13
More power to you if you can get something worthwile from this book. I bought the book on CD, and it was easily the most forgettable experience I've had in a while. The information is presented from a 30,000 mile view. So "big picture" oriented that it's useless to try and consider the action behind the concepts presented.
If you're looking for a way to appear to have read something complicated and high level about Six Sigma. you found your source. If you want real, usable information, look elsewhere.
Excellent Book.......2007-09-07
No Joke. A serious six-sigma book written in most elegant form. I like the part where the Authors provide insights into "Sir Pork" - a really good way to put serious stuffs into readable form. Ignore the stars. It could have been 6 :).
A Six Sigma Primer.......2007-02-25
If you're looking to learn about Six Sigma, this is the book to start with. It provides a good overview and quickly dispels the common myths (e.g. Six sigma is for manufacturing companies alone). It helps the reader to determine if Six Sigma is right for his/her organization, and provides clear steps demonstrating how to implement the six sigma roadmaps. It doesn't get too heavy into the advanced statistics, although there is a chapter that explains some of the tools and how they are used. Bottom line: While the reader may still need some assistance (from a trained Black Belt), this book provides the tools necessary to complete a six sigma project. I've read a few books on the topic and this was the most comprehensive - the best of the lot.
Six Sigma Overview - Full of Excellent Case Studies.......2006-11-22
While studying to become a Black Belt in Six Sigma, I found this book to be the most excellent overview of the history and benefits of Six Sigma. I did extensive research into useful books - and found this one to be the most effective.
Many other Six Sigma books try too hard to teach the material - and this book presents the basics, with strong business case studies of success.
If you are involved in the study or use of Six Sigma - I believe this is an essential book in your library.
Good overview but little substance.......2006-11-04
This audio book was more of a cheerleader for six sigma than a book to gain knowledge. It would be a good source of information if you have never heard of six sigma, but otherwise it is not very useful. The reader also has an annoying voice.
Book Description
The marriage between Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma has proven to be a powerful tool for cutting waste and improving the organization’s operations. This third book in the Six Sigma Operations series picks up where other books on the subject leave off by providing the six sigma practioners with a statistical guide for solving problems they may encounter in implementing and managing a Lean Six Sigma programs. The book draws it examples from all sectors of business ranging from financial to manufacturing providing the reader with a wealth of case studies and as numerous worked out equations which are designed to facilitate the full potential of any Lean Six Sigma project.
Customer Reviews:
Process control change.......2006-01-31
Based on this book, we are changing all our process control. It has gained our CEO's trust.
SPC at its Pure and Original Dogma.......2004-12-23
This book is for all practicing professional on SPC and an eye-opener for the novice. It highlights many important topics specially the four state of a process model and shows how the process behaviour chart ( a.k.a control chart)can help in reaching the ideal state. The correct and wrong way of doing the calculation for the establishment of the control limits is also discussed and clarified and much more . This is a must to have for all who wants to go through their personal path to SPC . Buy this Book !
The best book to learn SPC.......2004-07-31
SPC is a widely MISUSED and OVERused term in the manufacturing world. It is amazing how many myths and misunderstandings exist and are accepted as rules of thumb. Understanding Statistical Process Control explains the foundations of Shewhart's control charts in depth, tying up its usage in real world. This is the simplest, most accurate guide for learning and applying SPC. Wheeler carefully separates the facts from fiction. His examples and excercises give reader a chance to see how control charts should be used in real world.
Conclusion: BUY IT
Recommended read for beginners and experienced practitioners.......2004-02-25
The book is well written, the examples illustrate the concepts in a nice way. Readers new to Statistics ought to read about basic concepts of Statistics from other texts that deal with the subject on a simpler level, then read this book.
Certain topics are not included although they are relevant in today's business context - for instance, Lean, and Mass Customization have resulted in many processes being changed around to small lot sizes. This requires the use of Short Run SPC, and it is covered in a separate book.
I keep the book handy as a ready reference, and also recommend it on a regular basis.
Explains the SPC philosophy extremely well!.......2001-10-12
This book starts with a extremely well explained chapter on the philosophy of control charts. This is really the most important part of the book. Other topics about rational subgrouping and myths are also very well covered. The book deals with interesting examples which should be a little bit more up-to-date. Presenting control charts on mm-paper is outdated in this computer era.
Book Description
This “mathematics-friendly” volume introduces readers to basic concepts and applications of Statistical Process Control (SPC). Readers get a solid foundation in control charts—including setting scales, charting, interpreting, and analyzing process capability. Problem-solving techniques are emphasized, and all learning is linked to the implementation of SPC in the workplace. The volume offers an introduction to quality concepts and statistical process control, quality issues, variation and statistics, an introduction to tables, charts, and graphs, probability and the normal distribution, control charts, variables charts for limited data, attributes control charts, problem solving, gauge capability and acceptance sampling. For quality control trainers and quality management/improvement teams.
Customer Reviews:
A General Book for SPC.......1999-06-24
For people who would like to get overall information about SPC; it is good for you.
If you are looking for a book with case study, it may not good for you.
Average customer rating:
- A serious book for quality practitioners
|
Quality Improvement Through Planned Experimentation
Ronald Moen ,
Thomas W Nolan , and
Lloyd P Provost
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Understanding Statistical Process Control
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Out of the Crisis
ASIN: 0079137814 |
Book Description
The methodology engineers need to plan and conduct experiments to quantify cause-and-effect mechanisms in complex systems
Updated to include the latest in experiment design, this breakthrough resource offers a comprehensive framework for the sequential building of knowledge -- a model for improvement -- that is key to making improvements. Step by step, you discover the tools and properties of sound experiments, the methods of planned experiments, and their application to the design of new and improved products and services.
Case studies of experiments in action, and forms and checklists facilitate the adoption of the methods into your daily work. The Second Edition includes new and expanded coverage of how to:
* Test changes to products, processes, and systems
*Evaluate the measurement process
* Extend planned experiments to large systems
*Apply experiments to new product design
Customer Reviews:
A serious book for quality practitioners.......2000-03-14
This is a book about quality improvement via proven techniques of statistical experiment design. It is full of illustrative examples, with mathematical details kept to a minimum. It is an excellent source of reference for industry personnel interested in improving the performance of products and processes beyond the deployment of the usual technical (engineering) approaches.
Book Description
This Schaum's Study Guide is the perfect tool for getting a handle on statistics. Fully stocked with solved problemsÑ508 of themÑit shows you how to work problems that may not have been fully explained in class. Plus you get 694 additional problems to use for practice, with answers at the back of the book. Ideal for independent study, brushup before exams, or preparation for professional tests, this Schaum's guide is clear, complete, and well-organized. It even prepares you for computer solutions of statistical problems, fully explaining the use of Minitab, the most popular statistical software. It's the perfect supplement for any course in statistics, and a super helper for the math-challenged.
Customer Reviews:
Effective refresher ... Efficient reference.......2007-01-07
I recommend this text to financial professionals I teach ... VERY helpful to clear the cobwebs several years after college!
Great for more advanced courses...........2006-12-12
I bought this book as a study aid for my Elementary Statistics class. Although the book does give you many examples to help solve, it gets a little too complicated for a beginning statistics class. It became hard to sort through the things I needed to gain a basic understanding of the fundamentals of statistics. If you are needing this book for your job or a more advanced statistics course, I would recommend it, but it's one for the beginner to leave alone.
Comprehensive Guide to Statistics.......2006-06-13
This excellent book provides a comprehensive look at statistical methods. It's a great reference guide with 19 chapters, each of which build nicely on one another.
Chapters 1 through 11 lay the foundation of statistical study and the reader should benefit greatly from this framework.
Specifically, Chapters 1 through 3 cover Variables and Graphs, Frequency Distributions and Mean-Median-Mode concepts. Chapters 4 through 6 move on to cover Standard Deviation, Skewness and Elementary Probability Theory. Chapter 7 then discusses Binomial, Normal and Poisson Distributions.
Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11 delve into Sampling, Statistical Estimation, Statistical Decision and Small Sampling Theory.
The remaining chapters offer practical insights into such topics as Chi-Square test, Correlation Theory, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Time Series Analysis and Statistical Process Control. Much of this appears in the CFA curriculum and therefore is a worthy supplemental study.
True to its format, this Schaum's book helps readers via its question and answer format in each of its chapters. Going through these problems teaches and reinforces concepts taught in the first pages of each chapter in the book.
Great job authors! I'm hoping others will benefit from this book too.
Schaum's Outline of Statistics.......2006-03-03
This is a handy desk guide to statistics for someone who needs a statistical referemce as part of their job but is not a statistician, ie, performance management, data preparation or other information analysis. I compared this book to many others and found it the most comprehensive.
A Failed Attempt .......2005-01-12
This book is sloppily edited, with numerous typos in the equations. Page 91 has two symbolic errors plus a text error.
Overbar omitted twice on page 19 giving a nonsensical formula Z = (X - X)/s
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