Introduction

Six Sigma is a methodology that most of the Multinational companies are adopting in order to standardize their
procedures and improve their processes. For this reason these companies have different internal programs running the
DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) roadmap.
In the wiki collaborating concept, I guess the major challenge is going to be the integration of some critical mass
contributors to design some standards among Six Sigma.
Six Sigma is not unlike any other major initiative in an organization. In order for the deployment to be successful, it is
important to have a very senior executive sponsor who will break through barriers and create a sense of momentum and
reality to the deployment project. Additionally, a single person should be assigned to lead the implementation of the
methodology and develop a detailed plan that coordinates all the necessary resources.

History
Six Sigma is a set of practices originally developed by Motorola to systematically improve processes by eliminating
defects. Particulars of methodology were originally formulated by Bill Smith at Motorola in 1986.
The term "Six Sigma" refers to the ability of highly capable processes to produce output within a defined specification.
Six Sigma attempts to define an engineering quality yardstick, which will ensure that a process defined by it will not
produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. The math applied to this philosophy is similar to the one which
attempts to assess failure using the MTBF formula. However, it's a useful formula from the standpoint of anyone
wanting to raise the awareness of manufacturing enterprises to the obvious improvement from the introduction of
quality checks and balances to existing processes.
Six sigma is patented at the US Patent Office under United States Patent 6473720 as a method for monitoring product
performance.

What is Six Sigma

It is a statistical measure of variation. Full six sigma equals 99.9997% accuracy. This could be viewed as a business
philosophy focusing on continuous improvement. A busines philosophy focusing on continous improvement. An
organized process for structured analysis of data. Methodology for improving key processes.

Methodology
Six Sigma has two key methodologies - DMAIC and DMADV. DMAIC is used to improve an existing business
process, DMADV is used to create new product or process designs for predictable, defect-free performance.

DMAIC
Basic methodology consists of the following five steps:
Define the process improvement goals that are consistent with customer demands and enterprise strategy. Measure the
current process and collect relevant data for future comparison. Analyze to verify relationship and causality of factors.

Determine what the relationship is, and attempt to ensure that all factors have been considered. Improve or optimize the
process based upon the analysis using techniques like Design of Experiments. Control to ensure that any variances are
corrected before they result in defects. Set up pilot runs to establish process capability, transition to production and
thereafter continuously measure the process and institute control mechanisms.

DMADV
Basic methodology consists of the following five steps:
Define the goals of the design activity that are consistent with customer demands and enterprise strategy. Measure and
identify CTQs (critical to qualities), product capabilities, production process capability, and risk assessments. Analyze
to develop and design alternatives, create high-level design and evaluate design capability to select the best design.
Design details, optimize the design, and plan for design verification. This phase may require simulations. Verify the
design, set up pilot runs, implement production process and handover to process owners.

Six Sigma Belts

There are three levels or Belts and are based on level of competence in understanding and applying related tools.
1. Green Belt - basic analytical tools; works on less complex projects.
2. Black Belt - emphasis on application and analysis. They work on projects with the help of Green belts.
3. Master Black Belt - understands application and statistical theory behind application; trains other belts and
leads project reviews.
The actual definition and competencies for each belt can vary from various organization and training institutions.