The document discusses Six Sigma, which aims to reduce process variation and improve quality by moving processes towards higher levels of accuracy and precision. It explains that Six Sigma seeks to reduce the standard deviation of processes to a level where the spread of 6 sigmas fits within specifications, resulting in only 3.4 defective parts per million. Achieving higher sigma levels can significantly lower costs and increase competitiveness compared to processes operating at 3 sigma or lower.
2. Six Sigma in simple terms
Accurate and Precision
Six Sigma can be best explained
by using the analogy of a rifle firing
at a target.
3. Accuracy and precision
With the center of the target taken to be the true
value of the characteristic being measured and
by the rifle shots representing the measured
values, there are four combinations of accuracy
and precision as depicted in the following slides.
8. Objectives of Six Sigma
As observed from the Picturization in the preceding slides, the objective of
moving towards world class manufacturing a is to continuously achieve
greater consistency of the processes by aiming for higher levels of accuracy
& precision
9. FICCI CE
Sigma in statistical terms
Standard deviation is also referred to as the Greek letter sigma in
quality management literature. Consequently process variation
can be described by how many sigmas ( i.e how many multiples of
standard deviation or SD ) fit within the specification limits.The
higher this number, the better is the quality and vice versa.
Sigma is a statistical measure of the quality consistency
for a particular process / product.
10. FICCI CE
Sigma process
From a sigma process we come to know that at what distance,
in terms of the standard deviation, the specification limits are
placed from the target value.
11. FICCI CE
Move beyond 3 sigma
Until a few years back all statistical process controls were
designed on the basis of 3 sigma limits. It is only in the recent
years that this concept has been challenged and the
organizations have started looking for quality levels beyond 3
Sigma.
12. FICCI CE
3 Sigma process
Mean=8
LSL SD = 2 USL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
- 3 SD + 3 SD
Note : LSL is Lower specification limit and USL is Upper specification limit.
16. FICCI CE
Precision
Lesser the standard deviation of the process, more precise or
consistent is the process
17. FICCI CE
3 Sigma Vs 6 Sigma
The goal of Six Sigma program is to reduce the variation in every
process to such an extent that the spread of 12 sigmas i.e. 6 Sigmas
on either side of the mean fits within the process specifications. The
figure on next slide shows what this looks like.
18. FICCI CE
3 Sigma Vs 6 Sigma
6 Sigma curve
LSL USL
3 Sigma curve
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
In a 3 sigma process the values are widely spread along the center line,
showing the higher variation of the process. Whereas in a 6 Sigma
process, the values are closer to the center line showing
less variation in the process.
19. FICCI CE
3 Sigma Vs 6 Sigma
The comparison on the previous slide also shows a process in which the process
spread of Six Sigmas (ie. 3 Sigmas on either side just fits within the specifications). In
this case one must be extremely careful to ensure that the process average never
slips off the target, otherwise the curve will shift and non-conforming items will
increase. With Six Sigma requirement the process mean can shift by as much as 1.5
sigma before the likelihood of non-conforming items is increased. Even if the process
mean does shift off center by as much as 1.5 sigma, only 3.4 non-conforming items
per million parts should result.