C H A P T E R 6 Common Questions about Six Sigma. In our final chapter, we address 10 common questions asked about Six Sigma and provide our insight into their answers. It should be noted that in some cases, these questions are honest forms of curiosity about the topic. | CHAPTER 10 Common Questions about Six Sigma ur consulting organization has been associated with Six Sigma since its inception in the 1980s. During the last 20 years we have heard virtually every question asked about both the concept and application of this cutting edge management philosophy. In our final chapter we address 10 common questions asked about Six Sigma and provide our insight into their answers. It should be noted that in some cases these questions are honest forms of curiosity about the topic. In other cases these questions are forms of resistance on the part of the questioner. For purposes of this chapter we assume the best-case scenario about the intentions behind each question. Question 1 Isn t Six Sigma just like other quality initiatives in the past almost all of which were failures By far this is the most common question we hear. As we have already alluded Six Sigma uses many of the same tools and techniques as other quality initiatives but there are huge differences between Six Sigma and previous efforts. 111 112 SIX SIGMA FOR EVERYONE First other quality initiatives never gained the attention of top management. Whether the quality initiative was Statistical Process Control Total Quality Management Hoisin Planning or other quality initiatives it was a rarity for management to actually be involved. What typically happened was project teams were immediately formed among those that had an interest in improvement. These teams attempted to utilize quality tools and techniques but without the support of management. Thus the effort was halfhearted as were the results. Six Sigma is different because of management s active involvement. Jack Welch at General Electric said that Six Sigma was the most important initiative he brought to General Electric in the 20 years he was at the helm. His successor Jeffery Immelt mentioned expanding Six Sigma four times in his first interview with the Wall Street Journal. The other two finalists for Jack Welch s .
