Executive Summary
Upon delving into the topic of materials management, one methodology seems to prevail among the current data and analysis of the manufacturing business segment. Six Sigma, a customer-centered statistical approach to quality management, has been very successful in Japan and within the manufacturing sector of American and European businesses. After extensive research, it was found that Six Sigma can also be applied to a variety of other business sectors with only minor variations in the process. Companies must always be careful in selecting the correct metrics and quantifiers for a Six Sigma program, but because of the adaptability of the method, it can be applied almost universally. There are some negatives associated with the Six Sigma process, but many of these can be addressed on an individual project basis. It is also theorized that over time, all drawbacks will be addressed and eventually eliminated as the process evolves. This method possesses the flexibility to adapt to the changing business environment and will most likely be a significant business concept for some time.
Problem Definition
With even the smallest amount of research into the materials management, inventory control, or supply chain management sectors of business, one single idea surfaces, invariably. Six Sigma. What is Six Sigma? And is it really all it's cracked up to be? Over the last 15 years, the term Six Sigma has become prevalent in most areas of business, not just the manufacturing sector. Through analysis of recent data from a variety of sources, it is clear that Six Sigma has permeated every business sector, both public and private and is gaining momentum daily. Is this momen ...