Statistics for Six Sigma Green Belts with Minitab and JMP

1.1. What is Six Sigma?

The name Six Sigma comes from the fact that it is a managerial approach designed to create processes that result in no more than 3.4 defects per million. One of the aspects that distinguishes Six Sigma from other approaches is a clear focus on achieving bottom-line results in a relatively short three- to six-month period of time. After seeing the huge financial successes at Motorola, GE, and other early adopters of Six Sigma management, many companies worldwide have now instituted Six Sigma management programs [see References 1, 2, 3, and 5].

The DMAIC Model

To guide managers in their task of improving short- and long-term results, Six Sigma uses a five-step process known as the DMAIC model, named for the five steps in ...