Six Sigma is: the scientific method to tackle problems, made operational to work well in business and industry. It gives a methodological framework to tackle quality problems, but it also offers an organisational structure to make possible the required change in a company. The program can be characterised by its emphasis on data, and by its focus on financial results.
Originally developed at Motorola in 1987, the approach created a furore in the USA, with important multinationals such as American Express, Boeing, Citibank, Dow, Ford, and General Electric all obtaining billion dollars' savings from the program. In recent years the approach is implemented in Europe as well at, e.g., DAF Trucks, Nokia, and Philips.
Six Sigma projects are carried out by so-called Black Belts, who are recruited from middle management and are trained in statistical techniques for problem solving. Typically, a Black Belt training consists of four modules of four days each, which is taught in a four months' period. Efficient problem solving methodology, based on a stepwise approach named DMAIC (abbreviation of Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control) is the main topic of this training.
The workshop gives an overview of the Six Sigma program and philosophy. The background and main concepts are taught, such as the sigma metric and the strategy that it employs to arrive at process improvements. Moreover, the statistical and non-statistical tools which are employed are briefly introduced.
Subjects
The following topics will be treated:
- History of Six Sigma
- Why improvement?
- What is Six Sigma?
- Six Sigma project selection
- DMAIC methodology
- Case studies
- Design for Six Sigma
Target audience
People who get involved with the Six Sigma program, such as managers, executives, engineers and senior staff.
Learning objective:
You will learn what the Six Sigma program comprises. Especially, you will have an overview of the roadmap that it follows, as well as the various tools and techniques that it employs.
Teachers
The teachers are experienced consultants in international industry, but are also well grounded in statistical science. They have implemented Six Sigma at, among others, Achmea Pensions, General Electric Plastics, Getronics, Perlos, Red Cross Hospital and Samsung.
- Soren Bisgaard is Eugene M. Isenberg Professor of Technology Management at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
- Ronald J.M.M. Does is professor in industrial statistics at the University of Amsterdam, and general manager of the related Institute for Business and Industrial Statistics IBIS UvA.
- Jeroen de Mast is senior consultant at IBIS UvA.