six sigma tools

I think that information is held pretty close to the vest of organizations that teach it because it is a revenue stream for those organizations. The cost per person for the classes are pretty high, but corporations are willing to spend that money.

Honestly, your best bet would be a good book store or a library. The crux of the biscuit is essentially a good grounding on mathematical statistics and good detective/problem solving skills.

If you are only looking for the tools, then you can start with the writings of Dr Edwards Deming. Then hook up with books on statistics (I like to call it Sadistics).

One stumbling block can be nomenclature. It seems that one of the tactics for modern day Gee-Wiz processes is to change the names of everything so that most people are clueless as to what the salesmen/instructors are talking about. It a great pitch to rattle off some impressive sounding words and managers and leaders feel that there must be something to all of this and get energized to jump on board before the boat leaves the dock.

Once you get through the course you realize that most of the material is a rehash of what you learned in college; or, as many people have complained, forget in college. For the most part, only the names have changed. However, there are still some good techniques to learn on how to use the tools.

Deming's material will give you a good structure to start with and then start searching for more modern books on the subject. Deming's work was a required read for my Black Belt coursework.

I can agree with what you said in so much that Six Sigma has little value inside the engineering domain. However, your 5,000 foot view only reveals ignorance, and given that you got a good answer illustrates you are also not alone.

Six Sigma was designed for improvement in the manufacturing section of business and it is very successful in that area.

Companies like GE have pushed Six Sigma into the engineering portion of the business very aggressively, mostly for the benefit of their stock holders and with little regard for the return on investment. Since then it has become a matter of "if a little is good, more must be better" and that is why it has a nasty reputation.

Like any medicine, when applied properly the results are very good. When abused the results are a mess.

yes, i agree with your coments. These techniques are just old wine in new bottle.

Due to pressure of schedule, we are not following some simple old techniques, but if someone teachs you in new fashion at pretty high bucks, then we admire the tecniques. Rather than increasing production , they are increasing hips of paper, and lot of wasting time of precious top management in presentations, daily meetings etc.

sanjay

Look on the internet for information on FMEA(Failure Mode And Effect Analysis) in regards in regards to CPK and PPK. (standard deviation)

Hi,

Please visit isixsigma.com for excellent information / tools on Six Sigma. You can also join their newsletters.

Six Sigma has great potential for making improvements - improvements not just in terms of percentage but in terms of number of times (multiples).

I believe such success is due to confluence of three aspects -- Six Sigma Methodology, Team Work & Statistical regior.

Let us make six sigma a way of life!!

All the Best!!!

I agree with gharemp and disagree with others.

Six Sigma has great potential but lot of people are mislead about it. Let us not try to put down a great tool (Like is a common practice with ISO9000 series) and garner the benefits.

Along with the isixsigma, try out www.asq.org it has a blog on six sigma and if you are a quality professional or a professional committed to quality, this organisation may be the ultimate.

A lot of institute will teach you about it. And no it is not industry specific, it teaches you how to improve and the tools are applicable in any sub-functions. Infact most of us try to use it in manufacturing and hence the disillusionment. The ripe areas are the supporting functions (Purchase, Design, Indenting, Finance and what not).

gains can be enormous if chosen correctly

If you not have any experience with six sigma. If you are looking just to learn. My suggestion is to start with Lean Manufacturing. With Lean you will be quick archive process improvements affecting the Safety, Quality , Service, efficiency and productivity. With Six Sigma you can get to understand and control process variation, with a Six Sigma system of DIMAC is a long time project. Some time can't get the expectation.

It is more helpful for complex manufacturing process or product.

Funny how it took five replies before some one answered the first question.

Let's count:

One , Two , Three , Four. Hmmmm...

If you are in manufacturing and want to improve your product, they can do it. But only let them improve that side of the business only.....

If you are in any other business, stay away from them.....

You can find some form this website.

http://www.qualitydigest.com/may00/html/sixsigmapro.html