Six Sigma the “Breakthrough Management Strategy”?

Abstract In the past years many companies in the US and Europe have embraced a quality management initiative based on the concept and metrics of “Six Sigma”. Developed as an internal company strategy at Motorola, it was put into action as a quality management program at General Electric and other big companies and nowadays Six Sigma is often being hailed as the new standard in quality for world class business. The creators of the approach call it “The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World's Top Corporations.” However, a closer look at the rationale behind Six Sigma as presented in the original publications reveals that Six Sigma cannot keep its promise.