Revisiting Six Sigma: Beyond Misconceptions and Misattributing Failures

What a ridiculous statement! Six Sigma is a measure of the level of process control variation in a process. You can't get much better control than a process that has a Six Sigma level of process control. How can a process of such exemplary control be so 'disastrously out of control'?

Strategic Errors vs. Methodology in Six Sigma

Firstly, the notion that a Six Sigma process is 'disastrously out of control' is completely erroneous. It is inaccurate and imprudent to hold Six Sigma responsible for such 'decorated losses.' The strategic mistakes made in the application of Six Sigma over long terms are to blame, not the methodology itself. The question carries a pre-occupied negative connotation, but let me elaborate my point.

Understanding Six Sigma

The term 'Six Sigma' does not carry any magical powers to produce perfection automatically. Instead, it is a consolidated comprehensive approach to address core quality issues through a variety of tools and techniques. These tools and techniques have been in use for over 6-7 decades and were mainly invented by Japanese industries. Motorola later developed a structured methodology and branded it as Six Sigma.

Core Success and Practical Application

The success of Six Sigma lies not in the theory or the methodology itself, but in its proper usage and execution. If a company applies Six Sigma incorrectly, the fault lies with the company, not with the methodology. There is a common misconception that Six Sigma causes job losses or market exits among conventional process improvement professionals. This is not entirely true.

Challenges and Misattributions

The rise of Six Sigma led to job losses and market restructurings among professionals such as process improvement consultants. As a result, these professionals began campaigning against Six Sigma to protect their interests. However, wherever there is a focus on quality, there is always a role for Six Sigma.

Quality is an eternal pursuit, and the principles of Six Sigma remain consistent with time. The core objective of reducing defects, improving quality, and reducing production costs remains intact. Proper execution is crucial for maximizing the benefits of Six Sigma. It's akin to concluding that a sports channel is responsible for your team's loss in a match, which is an unfair attribution.

Industry Integration and Evolution

As Six Sigma has matured, it has been integrated with specific industry applications. For example, in the IT sector, CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) levels can be considered an extension of Six Sigma principles. This integration ensures that the methodology is adaptable to various industries and contexts.

Closing Thoughts on Six Sigma and Quality

Ultimately, Six Sigma and quality are intrinsically linked, with a customer-centric approach as the foundational principle. Proper application and strategic integration of the methodology are key to achieving desired outcomes.

As we move forward, the focus should be on improving the execution and application of Six Sigma rather than on misconceptions and misplaced blame. With a clear understanding and proper implementation, Six Sigma can continue to deliver significant benefits to organizations.

With these insights, I hope my views make some sense to you.