Six Sigma as an initiative for quality improvement and business excellence has been a subject of intense study and discussion in the past 15 years. Although concepts and templates, such as Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control (DMAIC), have been frequently presented and advocated, there exist a number of different perspectives as to what fundamentally Six Sigma is capable of. In this paper, we examine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) associated with the application of the common version of Six Sigma. Some statistical, engineering and management aspects are considered. Thus, a realistic technical as well as management review of Six Sigma is made, 20 years after its inception.
[1]
Susan M. Teare,et al.
At Sixes and Sevens
,
1988
.
[2]
James R. Evans,et al.
Successful implementation of Six Sigma: benchmarking General Electric Company
,
2000
.
[3]
Peter S. Pande,et al.
The Six Sigma Way: How GE, Motorola, and Other Top Companies are Honing Their Performance
,
2000
.
[4]
Frederick D. Buggie,et al.
Beyond ‘Six Sigma’
,
2000
.
[5]
T. N. GOH,et al.
A strategic assessment of six sigma
,
2002
.
[6]
Richard Schroeder,et al.
Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World's Top Corporations
,
1999
.
[7]
Roger W. Hoerl,et al.
Six Sigma Black Belts: What Do They Need to Know?
,
2001
.