With all of this discussion on a Sigma level, what does it represent and how can one calculate a six sigma level?
A Sigma level represents the degree of variation existing in a process relative to the customer requirements. Sigma levels are represented as statistics ranging from one to six. A lower sigma level indicates an increase in process variation. An increase in variation equates to the likelihood that the process achieves customer dissatisfaction. So ultimately, a low sigma level indicates customer dissatisfaction. Yes it actually is just that easy. Finally we have a metric upon which we can base our improvement efforts. Ultimately the goal of Six Sigma is to move toward no variation in process.
Since we now know what six sigma is, let’s figure out how to calculate it!
- Count the number of units of output for a specific time period.
- Count the number of defects that occur for that number of units.
- Divide the defects by the number of units being measured to get the defects per unit, DPU.
- Multiply the Defects per unit by 1,000,000 to get the defects per million units, DPMU.
- Lookup the DPMU in the sigma table.
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1 Comments to “Calculating Sigma Level”
I want to know that once existing sigma level is determined from the data, how can we determine that upto what sigma level exixting process can improve.
Regards
Amit
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Welcome to the Healthcare IT Project Management Blog of Elyse Nielsen. This is the place where I share the ideas I have learned, the things I’d like to remember, and my thoughts for a brighter future. Find out more.
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