The Six Sigma Way: How GE, Motorola, and Other Top Companies are Honing Their Performance

CHAPTER 18Advanced Six Sigma Tools: An Overview

IN OUR JOURNEY along the Six Sigma Way so far, we’ve concentrated on those tools that drive much of the improvement in most organizations and processes. What Motorola discovered when it initiated Six Sigma, other businesses have learned since: Many problems and opportunities can be addressed with techniques that anyone can use. On the other hand, one of the keys to the success of the Six Sigma system has been the application—by teams and by specially trained Black Belts—of more sophisticated tools that bring more power to the Learning and Improvement efforts.

Our objective in this chapter is not to make you an expert in any of these advanced methods. We will try, though, to make you familiar with ...