Exploring Six Sigma

Exploring Six Sigma
Ricardo Vergara
Training Management 3340
April 29, 2012






                                                                              Abstract
            This paper explores Six Sigma, the business initiative that was developed by Motorola in the early 1990s. This program has had very good success with some very large corporations such as Allied Signal and General Electric. This paper will explore the methodology of each of the five phases in the Six Sigma model. The five phases are Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) Phases. The Six Sigma model will then be evaluated based on the researched information. Further, a recommendation will be made concerning whether an organization should implement Six Sigma based on the evaluation.

                                                   

Establishing a Six Sigma Program

                                                                    Introduction:

            In a world class business environment, employees will be stimulated to strive toward a goal of total quality and continuous process improvement. The benefit of achieving this goal is to become more competitive in the marketplace by reaching business excellence in meeting and exceeding the demands of the customers. The improvements in productivity and the reductions in cost will make stretching towards this goal a feasible business mission (Constanza, 1996, p. 251-252).
          Operations managers are key players in participating in the organizations efforts to become world class. They are the leaders in developing a work culture that will embrace continuous improvement and process excellence. It is their commitment and vision that will be the endorsement for the never-ending quest in striving to reach the zero-defects goal (Heizer & Render, 2001, p. 174).
There are several terms that define quality and continuous improvement programs. Total Quality Management (TQM) and Six...