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IS SIX SIGMA A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM SOLVER?

  • Writer: Maz
    Maz
  • 4 days ago
  • 1 min read

Six Sigma is a very robust and time tested methodology. But it is not a universal problem solver. Use Six Sigma if your problem boils down to too many defects. A defect could be any kind of deviation form a norm. Here are some examples.

  • You aim for a 4.5 stars customer satisfaction but currently have 3 stars.

  • You aim to lose only 1 in every 100 customers and currently you lose 6 in 100.

  • You aim to produce at the most 1% faulty items and now the % is 8.

  • Your engines should run 20,000 KM problem free but now they only go to 13,000.


Six Sigma is perfect for these situations because its DMAIC project structure will take that aim (or norm), gather the data, find the root causes, solve it and install a mechanism to sustain the gains.


But Six Sigma is not suitable for other projects such as:


  • Producing a videogame A-Z.

  • Building a bridge.

  • Applying AI to serve the customer.

  • Getting to know our customers.


In all the above, the main problem is not about defects and as such, Six Sigma is not the most useful approach.

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