FAQ : How does Six Sigma enhance just in time (JIT)?

Technically Six Sigma is a measurement of process quality. Sigma is the mathematical symbol for standard deviation. As an example, about 93% of all results from a "normal" population (i.e. results are equally distributed above and below the mean) fall within 3 standard deviations. The use of six sigma in a manufacturing situation means that the company uses all the total quality tools to improve a process so that the tolerances for the process is at or better than six standard deviations of the process spread. This would result in no more than 3.4 failures in 1 million units of production. You can access the world class manufacturing checklist at http://www.bpic.co.uk/wcm.htm to get an idea of the total quality and just in time tools.

Since its conception, people who teach six sigma have added in a requirement to understand most of the JIT (just in time) / Lean manufacturing techniques. Six sigma as taught these days is now indistinguishable from JIT although it does have a total quality bias. Six sigma therefore adds no new techniques to JIT but tends to raise the quality standards.

For more information you should get a copy of my book. More details and how to order click here. You should also attend one of our courses.  The set of World Class Manufacturing courses explains all the techniques in a practical way so that you can apply the most appropriate techniques to your business.

Phil Robinson - www.bpic.co.uk
BPIC - your manufacturing planning resource