Article Review

Title of Article: Quality and Reliability corner six sigma: myths and realities

Written by: Nihar Ranjan Senapati

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management Vol. 21 No. 6,

2004,pp. 683-690

This article has 8 pages

Article reviewed by Eyosiyas

 Contents
Overall view ................................................................................................................................... 3
Research problem ......................................................................................................................... 3
Objective of the article.................................................................................................................. 4
Research methodology .................................................................................................................. 4
Definition of six sigma method..................................................................................................... 4
1. Overview of various process improvement methodologies ................................................ 4
1.1 Deming cycle and process steps ......................................................................................... 5
1.2 TQM and its implementation steps............................................................................... 5
2. Research Title and Reporting Format .................................................................................... 7
3. Quality of Abstract .................................................................................................................... 7
4. Research Methodology Quality ............................................................................................... 8
5. Review of Related Literature and it Quality .......................................................................... 9
6. Strength of the article ............................................................................................................... 9
7. Weakness of the article ............................................................................................................. 9
8. Conclusion and Recommendation ........................................................................................... 9
Overall view
This article is a discussion and clarification on the concept of six sigma and its reliable application
on different places of operation. The Six Sigma approach has set a new paradigm of excellence in
any manufacturing ambience. But do the ground realities speak in favor of spending millions of
dollar budget, when any exotic process centric concept even like Shainin’s can also map out
process improvement in the similar objective manner The Define, Measure Analyze Improvement
and Control (DMAICR) approach is discussed vis-a´-vis Deming’s cycle, total quality
management assessment methodologies including Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
Assessment (MBNQA) or European Foundation for Quality (EFQM) framework and of late, much
popularized Dorian Shainin’s Statistical Engineering (SE).The 3.4 PPM, so-called quantitative
aspect of Six Sigma, is challenged statistically over process variability. The conclusion leads to
acknowledge Six Sigma as any other process improvement and enrichment systematic
methodology like any other aforementioned improvement initiatives. Various improvement
methodologies have been briefly discussed. Six Sigma as a popular corporate belief has been
debated vis-a`-vis other traditional quality approaches. The message is conveyed to propagate and
adopt an improvement plan that leads to an effective and productive process and not the label that
sells the plan. So, the corporate leaders should think over whether Six Sigma as an improvement
initiative talks less and does more than any other existing improvement plans.

Research problem
The traditional ways of operation in today’s working condition are not applicable. Various process
improvement methodologies are very important in different organization six sigma method is very
important part of Total Quality management (TQM) that will serve to increase the quality of
operations. Measure Analyze Improvement and Control (DMAIC) scheme has undergone a critical
review by the practitioners and implementers including addition of R (Reporting) to the tail end of
the framework. Corporations have relied, invested and reportedly ploughed back a lot of dividends
from the implementation of this approach.
Objective of the article
• To show quantitative aspect of Six Sigma method
• To show TQM and its implementation steps

Research methodology
• Secondary data analysis and Measure Analyze Improvement and Control (DMAICR)
approach is used in this study.

Definition of six sigma method

➢ Six sigma: Six Sigma is an improvement methodology in the field of Total Quality
Management (TQM).it is a method that provides organizations tools to improve the
capability of their business processes. This increase in performance and decrease in
process variation helps lead to defect reduction and improvement in profits, employee
morale, and quality of products or services.
➢ Total Quality Management: is the continual process of detecting and eliminating
manufacturing errors, streamlining supply chains, improving the customer experience,
and ensuring employees are fully trained.

1. Overview of various process improvement methodologies

Various steps of Six Sigma framework are:

(1) Define (D). Selection of appropriate projects, development of project plans and identification
of the relevant process. The Supplier-Input-ProcessOutput-Customer (SIPOC) mapping exercise
can be used effectively to describe the process.

(2) Measure (M). Measurement of process variables through data quality checks, repeatability and
reproducibility (R&R) studies, and addressing process stability.

(3) Analyze (A). Usage of graphical techniques to analyze the process behavior.

(4) Improve (I). Improvement of the existing process through experimentation and simulation
techniques.

(5) Control (C). Development of the control plan for process improvement.
(6) Reporting (R). Reporting of the benefits of the re-engineered process.

1.1 Deming cycle and process steps

Different steps of the Deming cycle are:
(1) Plan. Plan the process (equivalent to D of Six Sigma).
(2) Do. Act on the process (equivalent to M-A-I of Six Sigma).
(3) Check. Measure the results by finding out the deficiencies (equivalent to C of Six
Sigma).
(4) Act. Act on the gap between the intended goals and achieved results (equivalent to R of
Six Sigma).
1.2 TQM and its implementation steps
Ten points that guide implementation of TQM are:
(1) The organization needs long-term commitment to constant improvement.
(2) Adopt the philosophy of “zero defects/errors” to change the culture to the “right first
time”.
(3) Train to people to understand the customer-supplier relationships.
(4) Do not buy products or services on price alone-look at total cost.
(5) Recognize that improvement of the systems needs to be managed.
(6) Adopt modern methods of supervision and training – eliminate fear.
(7) Eliminate barriers between departments by managing the process-improve
communications and teamwork.
(8) Eliminate the following:
• arbitrary goals without methods
• all standards based only on numbers
• barriers to pride of workmanship
• fiction – get facts by using the correct tools.
(9) Constantly educate and retrain-develop the experts in the business.
(10) Develop a systematic approach to manage the implementation of TQM.
1.3 Frame works of six sigma method

➢ Baldrige framework and TQM assessment

The Baldrige framework administered by NIST and instituted by Federal government has
four basic elements, namely: Driver, System, Measures of progress and Goal. Senior
executive leadership is the Driver element that creates the values, goals and systems and
guides the sustained pursuit of quality and performance objectives.

➢ EFQM framework and TQM assessment

The EFQM recognizes that processes are the means by which a company organization
harnesses and releases the talent of the people to produce the results. Also, according to
other authors, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction and impact on society are
achieved through leadership driving policy and strategy, people management, resources
and processes which lead ultimately to excellence in business results.

1.4 SE and Six Sigma

Statistical Engineering (SE) is a structured and systematic approach. It aims at finding and
removing the cause of variation like any other quality improvement initiative. Process is
characterized and measurement systems are emphasized during the implementation phase.
The framework uses a progressive search technique using families of variation. Clues are
generated using observational data. Process data and engineering process knowledge
leverage on the available information.
SE steps are:
(1) Define the problem.
(2) Quantify and measure the problem.
(3) Determine problem history.
(4) Generate clues.
(5) Formal design of experiments (verify cause).
(6) Turn the problem on and off.
(7) Establish realistic specifications and tolerances.
 (8) Freeze the process improvements.
(9) Certify the process (process certification).
(10) Hold the gains with statistical process control.

SE differs from Six Sigma in the following ways:

1 smaller steps in methodology;

2 smaller team size for problem solving;
3 lesser application of DOE;
4 proprietor usage (service marks); and
5. both SE and Six Sigma advocate application of more or less same tools.

2. Research Title and Reporting Format

Title: “Quality and Reliability corner six sigma: myths and realities’’

• Does the topic of the article Appropriate to the content of the research?

The topic of the article was very fit to the all over the content of the article. Then the selection of
the title was appropriate. And the article shows the uses and application of six sigma method.

• Does The research report is written and organized based on accepted format?

Relating to the format of the research this study is organized and reported based on the accepted
format. The study has stated its problem statement and objective then scope of the study in a very
well manner.

3. Quality of Abstract
➢ The abstract of the study keeps the standard of an abstract to be written the statement
and expresses the study focused on reliability, use and application and operational
effects of six sigma method of the traditional management accounting with the new
approach of management accounting with the use of latest information technology and
studies. “Six Sigma is an improvement methodology in the field of Total Quality
Management (TQM).it is a method that provides organizations tools to improve the
capability of their business processes. This increase in performance and decrease in
 process variation helps lead to defect reduction and improvement in profits, employee
morale, and quality of products or services. and also the number of words in the abstract
fulfills the standard of abstract (120 words).the standard abstract rule says an should
express its idea using 100-200 words then this abstract have fulfilled the standard.

• Clarity of objective

This study has clearly stated its objectives Specifically, this study seeks to:

➢ To show quantitative aspect of Six Sigma method

➢ To show TQM and its implementation steps

• major findings of the study

➢ Defined the six-sigma method and total quality management
➢ Listed out the Six Sigma process steps (DMAICR)
➢ Defined the difference between six sigma method and statical engineering

• Contribution of the study.

➢ The study showed Various improvement methodologies in the six-sigma method

➢ It messaged and conveyed to propagate and adopt an improvement plan that leads
to an effective and productive process and not the label that sells the plan. So, the
corporate leaders should think over whether Six Sigma as an improvement initiative
talks less and does more than any other existing improvement plans.

4. Research Methodology Quality

• The information gathered by the author was from Secondary data analysis and Measure
Analyze Improvement and Control (DMAICR) approach.as a research methodology the
author used good organization of secondary data but for mor improvement and reliability
it was better if the author used more other additional method like survey and interviews in
different operation positions.
5. Review of Related Literature and it Quality
• The article uses different literatures at different times and tried to use the lates literatures
at the time of the study, this is the quality of the literature review. But the literature review
was short and it is better to use additional literatures to explain the concept deeply.
• And the literature review is used only on the introduction part in organized form it must be
stated in a separate title.

6. Strength of the article

➢ The most strength of this article is its use of diagrammatical and flow chart methods to
show process and steps.
➢ The flow of the study is good

7. Weakness of the article

➢ It was good to give some recommendations on uncovered part of the study.

8. Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusions

Various improvement methodologies have been briefly discussed. Six Sigma as a popular
corporate belief has been debated other traditional quality approaches. The message is conveyed
to propagate and adopt an improvement plan that leads to an effective and productive process and
not the label that sells the plan. So, the corporate leaders should think over whether Six Sigma as
an improvement initiative talks less and does more than any other existing improvement plans.
The Six Sigma approach has set a new paradigm of excellence in any manufacturing ambience.
But do the ground realities speak in favor of spending millions of dollar budget, when any exotic
process centric concept even like Shainin’s can also map out process improvement in the similar
objective manner The Define, Measure Analyze Improvement and Control (DMAICR) approach
is discussed Deming’s cycle, total quality management assessment methodologies including
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Assessment (MBNQA) or European Foundation for
Quality (EFQM) framework and of late, much popularized Dorian Shainin’s Statistical
Engineering (SE).

Recommendation
Based on this study it is recommended to:
• Different organizations to use six sigma method to improve operational quality.
• To use other further study other methods in the total quality management also
• To further study the six sigma method as an improvement method to because this study is not
full alone.