With an emphasis on time-tested management methodologies, the Six Sigma strategy utilizes statistical data and quality management techniques.  The goal is to shorten cycle time, decrease variation, and to improve overall quality and efficiency.

Choosing the Six Sigma business strategy has great implications towards reducing the cycle time (CT) of a given business or enterprise. The stated objective for this process management method is to virtually eliminate defects in production. But for it  to be as effective as it can, it is generally understood that an aggressive cycle time reduction initiative should be paired with 6 Sigma methods. In this way, a reduction paired with the implementation should be considered related. CT can be one of the most heavily-scrutinized facets of a process, as it has great influence over costs and can be seen as a general indication of basic efficiency, when compared to processes of similar kinds.

Originally implemented as a means of reducing the amount of defective products in a given manufacturing process, the 6 Sigma method was expanded to include measures to reduce cycle time as well. This is done by analyzing the amount of time spent on all the different components in a process individually, and seeing where improvements can be made that won’t affect the quality of the finished product. More specifically, attention is paid to how changes in CT affect the total number of production defects. This is a relatively simple concept that existed well before Six Sigma, but it wasn’t until its implementation that efficiency could be quantified to such a high degree of accuracy and then analyzed in such a broad and inclusive context. A reduction in CT is something that every company should strive to achieve, because it almost always results in savings.

Although a drop off in CT is not one of the implicit goals of 6 Sigma-and this process should not be implemented simply as a means of reducing CT-it is typical for a business to see time being more wisely and more efficiently used after investing in the Six Sigma initiative and exposing employees and management to professional methods.