The Six Sigma Way：How GE, Motorola, and Other Top Companies are Honing Their Performance

SixSigmaisadata-drivenmanagementsystemwithnear-perfect-performanceobjectivesthathasbeenemployedtoacclaimatleadingcorporationslikeGeneralElectric.Itsnameisderivedfromtheeye-catchingstatisticaltargetofoperatingwithnomorethan3.4defectsperonemillionchances,butPeterPande,RobertNeuman,andRolandCavanagh--associatesinafirmprovidingSixSigmaimplementation,training,andmanagementservices--contenditsprinciplescanbeappliedinbusinessesofalltypestoroutinelyreducecosts,improveproductivity,increasemarketshare,andachieveotherpositiveresults.TheSixSigmaWayistheircomprehensiveself-helpguidetoadaptingandusingthesystemundervariousconditions.Itsfirsttwopartscoverfundamentalsandprovidespecificsuggestionsforaligningtheprocesswithindividualneedsandgoals.(Theseincludesectionsonbalancingpotentialcostsandbenefits,clarifyingobjectives,anddefiningtimeframes.)Thefinalpart,whichaccountsformorethanhalfthebook,focusesonimplementationthroughadetailedyetflexiblefive-step"roadmap"tiedtoacompany'scoreprocesses,keycustomers,currentperformance,"high-potentialimprovementopportunities,"andfuturepractices.Whiletheprocedureisquitecomplex,diligentmanagersshouldbeabletobringatleastbasiccomponentstotheirorganizationwiththetoolsandtechniquesprovided.--HowardRothman