Six Sigma is a data-driven improvement philosophy that views all activities within an organization as processes whose inputs can be controlled to effect significant improvements in process outputs. Six Sigma uses a rigorous and systematic methodology known as DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) and several qualitative and quantitative tools for driving process, product, and service improvements aimed at reducing defects and variation. Companies across various industries are striving to become faster and more responsive to customers, achieve near-perfect quality, and operate using world-class cost structures.
To become a Six Sigma Green Belt, you must learn that a process is a means of creating and delivering products and services needed by customers. According to Takashi Osada, a Japanese author, and quality pioneer, “if the process is right, the results will take care of themselves.” By Six Sigma standards, a “right process” is one that creates and delivers precisely what the customer needs. By this logic, no Six Sigma effort can start without having a high-level picture of an organization’s customers and other stakeholders, their needs, and the business processes meant to fulfill those needs.