Key ingredients for the effective implementation of Six Sigma program

TLDR

Six Sigma, pioneered by Motorola in the 1980s to reduce defects to 3.4 parts per million, is a systematic methodology that can boost profitability through quality, customer satisfaction, and productivity gains, but its success depends on identifying critical success factors. The paper identifies the essential ingredients required for effective Six Sigma implementation. These ingredients were derived from a pilot survey of UK manufacturing and service organisations.

Abstract

Six Sigma is a business strategy and a systematic methodology, use of which leads to breakthrough in profitability through quantum gains in product/service quality, customer satisfaction and productivity. The concept of implementing Six Sigma processes was pioneered at Motorola in the 1980s and the objective was to reduce the number of defects to as low as 3.4 parts per million opportunities. For the effective implementation of Six Sigma projects in organisations, one must understand the critical success factors that will make the application successful. This paper presents the key ingredients, which are essential for Six Sigma implementation. These ingredients are generated from a pilot survey conducted in the UK manufacturing and service organisations.