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Six Sigma and Lean Fundamentals 55

current product development process, or design/redesign of a service
process or internal business process.
The rest of this book is devoted exclusively to design for Six Sigma
(DFSS). Chapter 3 is the introductory chapter for DFSS, giving the
overviews for DFSS theory, DFSS process, and DFSS application.
Chapter 4 gives detailed descriptions about how to deploy DFSS in a
company, such as the training of DFSS teams, organization support,
financial management, and deployment strategy. Chapter 5 gives a very
detailed “flowchart” of the whole DFSS process, which includes very
detailed description of DFSS stages, task management, scorecards, and
how to integrate all methods into DFSS stages. Chapters 6 through 17
give detailed descriptions on all the major methods used in DFSS.

2.8 Summary
1. Six Sigma is a methodology that provides businesses with the tools
to improve the capabilities of their business processes. Compared
with other quality initiatives, the key difference with Six Sigma is
that it applies not only to product quality, but also to all aspects of
business operation. Six Sigma is a method for business excellence.
2. Process is the basic unit for Six Sigma improvement project; process
could be a product itself, a service/manufacturing process, or an
internal business process. Process mapping, value stream mapping,
and process management are effective tools for improving overall
performance. Six Sigma process improvement strives for both
process performance improvement and process capabilities.
3. Lean operation principles are originated from Toyota production
system. The key concept in lean operation principles is the identifi-
cation and elimination of wastes in all process. Lean operation prin-
ciples are very effective and powerful in improving process speed
and efficiency. Lean operation principles and other Six Sigma meth-
ods complement each other. The merging of lean operation princi-
ples with other Six Sigma methods is called lean Six Sigma.
4. Process capability is a measure of process consistency in delivering
process performance. Six Sigma capability is a world-class
capability.
5. Six Sigma process improvement is a method for improving process
performance and capability without process redesign. Design for
Six Sigma (DFSS) is a Six Sigma method that works on the early
stage of product/process life cycle.