Leading Six Sigma: A Step-by-Step Guide Based on Experience with GE and Other Six Sigma Companies

The First Year—1996

This turned out to be a year of learning for both GE and me (see Figure 2-1). The major focus was on improvement of manufacturing processes using the MAIC (measure, analyze, improve, control) process. GE Capital (the financial services business of GE) subsequently added the define stage, wherein one ensures that an appropriate project has been selected, and that it is properly defined, scoped, and planned. This would turn out to be one of several major enhancements to Six Sigma made by GE, and would change the standard acronym to DMAIC. Each business in GE began its own separate initiative, but there was a lot of interaction and sharing of best practices, utilizing the Corporate Executive Council (CEC), and newly created councils ...