Six Sigma : The Way Forward (in Japanese)

Kanesan , Muthusamy and Noguchi, Hiroshi (2005) Six Sigma : The Way Forward (in Japanese). Standardization and Quality Control , 58 (2). 25-28 .

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Abstract

Six Sigma is defined as achieving reduction in the process variation. It is also both a philosophy and a methodology that improves quality through breakthoughs by analyzing data with statistics to find the root cause of quality problems. This will be followed by implementing controls to sustain and improve the overall quality. It was Motorola that conceptualized Six Sigma as a quality goal in the mid 1980s and first to recognize that modern technology was so complex that old ideas about acceptable quality levels (AQL) were no longer applicable. But, it only came to real prominence in 1989 when Motorola announced it would achieve a defect rate of no more than 3.4 parts per million within next five years. This claim effectively changed the focus of quality within the US, from one where quality levels were measured in percentages (parts per hundred) to a discussion of parts per million. It was not long before many of the US giants such as Boeing, Kodak, GE and Xerox were following Motorola's lead in pursuing Six Sigma. This paper reviews the Six Sigma concepts from the perspectives of origination, benefits, statistical science, success factors and the future. (authors' abstract)

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