ABSTRACT

SIX SIGMA

Six Sigma is a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. The Six Sigma process uses
data and rigorous statistical analysis to identify "defects" in a process or product, reduce
variability, and achieve as close to zero defects as possible.

Using a universal measurement scale, Six Sigma defines and estimates the opportunities for error
and calculates defects in the same way every time, thus offering a means for measuring
improvement. In fact, Six Sigma takes its name from the Greek letter "sigma," which is used in
statistics to indicate standard deviation.

Approaches to business improvement have evolved and grown since the early 1900s and today
the process focused, statistically driven Six Sigma methodology has been widely used by
companies such as GE, Motorola, Honeywell, Bombardier, ABB, Sony, DuPont, American
Express, Ford and many other companies in improving the business performance and optimizing
the bottom-line benefits. Although Six Sigma business management strategy has been exploited
by many world class organizations as mentioned above, there is still less documented evidence
of its implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper reports the key
findings of a Six Sigma pilot survey in manufacturing SMEs. The results of the study are based
primarily on descriptive statistics. The results of the study show that many of the SMEs are not
aware of Six Sigma and do not have the resources to implement Six Sigma projects. It was also
found that Lean Sigma was not generally popular among SMEs. Management involvement and
participation, linking Six Sigma to customers and to business strategy are the most critical
factors for the successful deployment of Six Sigma in SMEs.

Keywords:

Six Sigma, SMEs, survey, impediments, critical success factors

By:

Hardish D Trivedi (06m55)

Spandan Shrof (07mc 113)

U.V.PATEL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING.