A Six Sigma program implementation

The author describes how the IBM Corporation integrated Six Sigma into its market-driven quality program and used it as a measuring tool and a yardstick for initiating and maintaining a process of continuous improvement. Problem areas, which can be technical issues or business concerns, are discussed. A Six Sigma approach requires the use of many key statistical and managerial tools in order to implement and monitor improvement plans. A brief description of some of these is given. It is pointed out that another key focus area-cycle time measurement and reduction-must be added to Six Sigma to fully implement a successful continuous improvement process