Linking statistical thinking to Six Sigma

While many will say they engage in Statistical Thinking, few can actually tell you what it is. We begin with an operational definition of Statistical Thinking, embellish it, and then explore its implications to the manufacturing environment. As Six Sigma is all about (manufacturing or other) process variation reduction, we motivate that and elaborate on elements necessary for success. Tools and techniques of Six Sigma, motivated by Statistical Thinking include process flow diagrams, cause and effect diagrams and matrices, careful assessments of process capability and performance and other tools necessary to assure that gains, once attained, are held. Statistical Thinking also emphasises the need for an understanding of variation. Done properly, the benefits of variation quantification include identification of opportunity, which is the difference between performance and capability, and the generation of clues that light the path to improvement.