Completing the project is the most common measure of both failure and success. While most companies track incomplete projects, many do not do anything with the information. What does Project Failure really mean? (http://store.isixsigma.com)

1. R ESEARCH
“all” their company’s projects are aligned, the completion rate was 70 percent. That is 23 points high-
er than the completion rate of respondents who said “some” or “few” projects are aligned.
Similarly, using a formal approval process when selecting Six Sigma projects also appears to be cor-
related to a higher completion rate. Those respondents who said their company uses a formal process
“always” or “most of the time” (60 percent of respondents) enjoy a 70 percent project completion rate,
whereas respondents from companies that “rarely” or “never” use a project approval process indicat-
ed that more than half of the projects (55 percent) started at their company are not completed.
2.1 Calculated rate of project completion (N = 756)
Mean 62%
1st quartile 38%
Median 67%
3rd quartile 86%
Standard deviation 29%
2.2 How many of your company’s current Six Sigma projects are aligned
with business goals? (N = 754)
60% 80%
70%
66%
50%
44%
60%
40% 46% 47%
Average percentage
30%
30% 35% 40% of projects completed
19%
20%
20%
10% 6%
2%
0% 0%
All Most Some Few None
2.3 How often is a formal process for Six Sigma project approval used
in your company? (N = 753)
60% 80%
65%
50% 74%
54% 60%
40% 45% 45%
31% Average percentage
29% of projects completed
30% 40%
22%
20%
12% 20%
10% 6%
0% 0%
Always Most of Some of Rarely Never
the time the time
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