To start with, you need to know that Six Sigma basically signifies near-perfect business processes that do not generate more than 3.4 defects per million defect-free units of a manufactured product or delivered service.

When such near-perfect business processes are achieved, it automatically results in substantial cost savings and improved efficiencies. This is the reason why Six Sigma training has now become the preferred choice of businesses worldwide.

The Tools and Techniques Used

Six Sigma training relies heavily on factual data and information for taking critical process improvement decisions. This automatically eliminates the probability of errors and inaccuracies, thereby paving the way for successful process improvements.

For collecting, categorizing, processing and analyzing data and information in the most accurate and efficient manner, Six Sigma training makes use of a wide range of statistical tools and techniques that include everything from Fishbone Diagrams to Ishikawa Diagrams, Design of experiments (DOE), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Process Flow Diagrams and Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (R&R) studies.

Other tools and techniques that are commonly utilized include Control Charts, Defect Measurement Matrices, Pareto Diagram, Process Mapping, Root-Cause Analysis, and Statistical Process Control.

Concepts and Methodologies

The above tools and techniques just aid the Six Sigma implementations - and as such, they cannot be classified as complete business solutions. What they do stand for are the nuts and bolts of commonly used Six Sigma concepts and methodologies such as DMAIC and DMADV.

The first thing you need to know about two of these most commonly used Six Sigma methodologies is that DMAIC is short for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control whereas DMAIC is short for Define, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify. They may appear to be the same, but you will be surprised to know that they are, in fact, a world apart.

The most basic difference is that whereas DMAIC is used exclusively for making improvements in existing business processes, DMADV is used exclusively for designing and developing completely new products or services from scratch.

The other prominent difference is that whereas DMAIC does not have variations, DMADV has quite a lot of them, such as DMADOV (define, measure, analyze, design, optimize, verify), DCCDI (Define, Customer Concept, Design and Implement), IDOV (Identify, Design, Optimize and Validate), and DMEDI (design, measure, explore, develop, and implement).

All these tools, techniques, concepts and methodologies have their own specific use and importance - but when it comes to ensuring the success of Six Sigma implementation projects, it becomes necessary for businesses to make the right choice from all available options.

Businesses that fail to do so will not be able to conclude their Six Sigma implementations; and as such, they may be deprived of the wide ranging benefits associated with successful Six Sigma implementations.