What Is Six Sigma?

by Peter S. Pande, Lawrence Holpp

A brief introduction to Six Sigma­­ for employees Six Sigma is today's most talked-about system for improving the quality of organizational processes. Written by bestselling author Peter Pande, What Is Six Sigma? is a concise summary of the core themes and processes of Six Sigma. Unlike almost all other books on Six Sigma, it is written for the employees of organizations rolling out Six Sigma­­not just managers. This helpful overview describes what Six Sigma is, why companies are implementing it, and how employees can make it a success in their own organizations. Based on the bestselling The Six Sigma Way, this accessable introduction to Six Sigma answers typical employee questions, concerns, and even skepticism about this revolutionary program.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management, Textbooks

98 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2001

About the author

Pete is a seasoned consultant in process improvement, organization change and Lean, Six Sigma initiatives – and is one of the recognized "experts" in the field. He has provided senior executive training and deployment consulting services in business improvement and Lean, Six Sigma efforts for such companies as GE Capital, Cisco Systems, Starwood Hotels, Honeywell, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Adobe, Givaudan, and many others.

Pete spent his early career in broadcasting and marketing before entering the management consulting and training field in the mid-1980s. He gained experience quickly, helping improve decision making and problem solving processes at large organizations in various industries including financial services, petrochemical, high tech, consumer products and health care. Pete formed Pivotal Resources in 1993 with the mission of helping clients build lasting success through practical and creative skills and streamlined processes.

He is author of the Change Leadership book, The Six Sigma Leader and has co-authored several other popular books including What is Six Sigma? and The Six Sigma Way — which was named one of the most influential business books of the past 20 years by Forbes magazine, translated into 16 languages, and recently updated to a Second Edition. He has also written articles for such publications as CEO Magazine, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and leadership issues at Forbes.com.

He holds an MBA from National University in San Diego and degrees in English and History from the University of California.

Reviews

[Graham Whittington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could’ve missed something, but I don’t think this book adequately accomplished its titular task of explaining what Six Sigma is. Rather, it extolled the successes of the methodology, reviewed roles within and iterations of the system, and dumped a bunch of buzzwordy business talk that represented what I envision as the worst of what business school would have to offer. To the extent the book actually got down to explaining the Six Sigma *system* at a high level…it sounded just like you look at data and use critical thinking?…We need black belts for this??

I got through this one because it was tangentially related to work. May pick up another to see if someone else summarizes it better.

(To be fair, others have said this book is more for workers with some familiarity of the system. But a primer should do a better job of synthesizing the system before getting into roles in system and so forth.)

[Arpita K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for high level experienced people who want to have a basic understanding or brushing of knowledge on six sigma. It is a very concise form of the six sigma handbook. One fourth of the book is dedicated to the managerial understanding of the concept. Best part Re the examples that's are depicted which are very easy to understand.

[Abolfazl Fattahi · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب «شش سیگما چیست؟» پرفروش ترین کتاب شش سیگما جهان تا سال ۲۰۰۴ هست که توسط رسول نورالسناء، امیر صالحی پور و عباس سقایی ترجمه و توسط انتشارات دانشگاه علم و صنعت به چاپ رسیده، شش سیگما طرفداران زیادی بین مدیران به خاطر کاهش زمان فرآیند، حذف نواقص محصول و افزایش رضایت مشتری پیدا کرده، شش سیگما بدون مشارکت و تعهد همه جانبه کارمندان قادر به ارائه نتیجه اثر بخشی نیست، جک ولش مدیرعامل سرشناس سابق جنرال الکترنیک درباره شش سیگما میگه: «ما شش سیگما را ابداع نکردیم، بلکه آن را یاد گرفتیم، تاثیر کلی آن به روی اعداد و ارقام سازمان، ساختگی نیست و نتایج به دست آمده، حاصل ۲۷۶،۰۰۰ پرسنل مشغول در پروژه های شش سیگما بوده است.»، این کتاب به نظرم برای درک این موضوع که اصلا شش سیگما چی هست و کاربردش چیه، کتاب خوبی هست.

[Spencer Brauchla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of six sigma. Plenty of detail for anyone completely unfamiliar with six sigma to introduce them to the potential value it can provide an organization. Perhaps a little too “beginner” for anyone with a basic understanding, wanting a resource that provides better comprehension.

[Oksana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be a bit of a good insider look into Six Sigma that gives me more explanation other than the fact that you identify issues and then solve them. It's really basic and more of a compliment to the program not an actual explanation.

[Bijal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good easy read on what lea. six sigma is. I use this book to teach my lean six sigma green belt course and I love how easy it is to follow!

[Soumya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a quick read to understand the what and why of Six Sigma.

[Rana]

p;l

[Eugene Pinchuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to read this book just in case if you need to use this system right now in your business.

[Lucille Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic overview of Six Sigma methodology for business.

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially it's a concise and informative(thus nice) brochure to inspire someone with a bits of the idea. It's also a good source of tools and techniques which could be used to perform your everyday activities.

I haven't had previous knowledge of Six Sigma before, so I was quite fascinated with the idea of switching improvement focus from "do more" to "do it predictably" which still drives us towards business improvement.

What's a bit confusing the idea of doing the thing on all levels by allocating "projects" which do the thing. I'm not sure about "projects" part, but bit of selling this to the people above and around you is definitely the good one.

[Ray Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

What Is Six Sigma? is a summary of the core themes and processes of Six Sigma. Unlike almost all other books on Six Sigma, it is written for all employees of organizations rolling out Six Sigma­­. As a result it is a helpful overview describing what Six Sigma is, why companies are implementing it, and how employees can make it a success in their own organizations. I recommend it for people new to Six Sigma but there are far better and more technical books available.

[Kenny Tang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a particularly fun read but Six Sigma isn't supposed to be. A very high level intro to acquaint you with the idea that there are procedures and mathematical tools to improve quality. You're not gonna get your black belt with this book.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good basic introduction to Six Sigma. I gave a copy to each of the employees in my Department. We've started a department level initiative using Six Sigma an are learning as we go.

[Nico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book to get introduced into the world of Six Sigma.

[Pat Batten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for the uneducated on the Six Sigma process like myself. I enjoyed the quick read and am interested in discovering more.

[Fisseha Diyoskoros]

You can understand how to perform your tasks easily when you finish
the book.

[Anthony Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of Six Sigma. Direct and too the point. I enjoyed the brief read.

[Jchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good overview of Six Sigma. For the lay reader, the concepts and tools are very clear and understandable without getting to far into the math behind Sigma Six.

[Prasad GR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb primer on the subject that is also a quick read that helps

[Todd Moen · Rating 3 out of 5]

overall very informative!