We have often heard the concept of zero defects in relation to Six Sigma. Six Sigma is defined as 3.4 defects per million opportunities, allowing for a process shift up to 1.5 sigma.

A Six Sigma initiative will be successful when it becomes a way of life for the entire organization. The executives, champions, Black Belts and Green Belts and the Master Black Belts have to undertake the deployment in a planned manner to ensure this. All organization members, from the CEO to the end users, should be involved in the process.

The beauty of Six Sigma Training is that it proves to be the best methodology to bring about changes for betterment in the manufacturing industry as well as the financial, telecom, and health care sectors. At the same time, the Six Sigma methodology can also benefit the services industry for improving customer service processes, problem solving, and internal support services.

The beauty of Six Sigma is that it can be implemented in every field and is not just limited to the manufacturing Industry. The use of the Six Sigma concepts has caught on with the service industry, and that involves the software industry as well.

The most important functions of a Six Sigma project team are those executed by the Six Sigma Champion, Black Belts and the Master Black Belts. They will get maximum recognition for their efforts. But other members of the team who play an important role are the process owners. They are responsible for the management of the processes in the organization.

In the Six Sigma organizational structures, the Six Sigma trained Black Belts play the critical role of analysis and problem solving. They are assisted in their activities and other Six Sigma project functions by the Green Belts.

Pharmaceutical companies are focusing on cost reduction and compliance. The industry is concentrating on reducing risk by improving the quality of the manufacturing process. Relying on end-of-process tests that may not be as reliable, these companies are looking at Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles which have been effective in the manufacturing and other industries as well.

An important consideration of Six Sigma is the fact that the productivity of employees is dependent upon their level of satisfaction. For the success of the business, the assessment of employee contributions is useful. An assessment of all business processes at their top performance levels is vital to meet the challenges in this competitive world.

Project management consists of 4 main elements; scope, resources, time and cost. All elements need to be managed properly if the project is going to be a success. Poor management can lead to project failure hence why it is so important.

Big companies like Motorola, General Electric, Sony, Toshiba and many more like them have rolled out Six Sigma projects and implemented them successfully. This naturally gives rise to a misconception that Six Sigma is limited to just big companies. However, the approach of Six Sigma is such that its deployment can be modified to suit small and medium-sized businesses as well.