a Study of Six Sigma Implementation and Critical Success Factors

Abstract

Six Sigma is a new addition to the menu of powerful concepts which has gained\rsignificant attention through its dramatic results. Motorola, which pioneered Six\rSigma, claimed a fivefold growth in sales with cumulative savings of US$ 14\rbillion as a result of ten years of Six Sigma implementation while General Electric\r(GE) and AlliedSignal reported savings of US$ 1 billion and US$ 2 billion,\rrespectively, within two to five years of Six Sigma implementation. Whilst it\rpromises a lot, the results so far, do however, indicate that not all the\rorganizations implementing the concept have achieved dramatic results. Rather\rmany of them abandoned their Six Sigma initiative since it was not significantly\rcontributing to the bottom line in any meaningful period of time. These\rcontrasting results of Six Sigma implementation pose some very serious questions:\rwhat are the factors which contribute to the successful implementation of Six\rSigma? what are the problems faced in implementing a Six Sigma program? what\rare the tangible and intangible benefits of Six Sigma implementation?