Understanding the Essentials of the Six Sigma Quality Initiative

by Harold Star, Stephen J. Snyder

This book is written for the Chief Executive Officer or senior manager who needs an overview of the Six Sigma quality initiative and the many disciplines which it involves. It is also for those executives who are wondering whether Six Sigma is something to pursue in their organization.

The book is an Executive Summary that explains Six Sigma, the way it is implemented and the benefits an organization can expect by pursuing this quality initiative. The book also briefly describes the numerous major techniques and methodologies employed in Six Sigma implementations. The reader is guided to additional reference material for each examined technique and quality discipline.



Understanding the Essentials of the Six Sigma Quality Initiative is written with the small to medium-sized business enterprise in mind. Executives in health care, government, municipal, and not-for-profit organizations will also find the book's message well-tailored to them. The authors describe an implementation program congruent with the resource constraints of these types of organizations but which doesn't compromise upon the benefits of adopting Six Sigma (increased operating efficiency, reduced cost, improved profitability and enhanced competitive advantage).

116 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000