Anyone else here know about Six Sigma?

[Snoozan]

I work for a major corporation whose "goal" is to have all exempt employees certified in Six Sigma by the end of the year. Six Sigma is a really complex, confusing quality method. I've been through 2+ weeks of college level classes and am still totally lost. I now have to take a test(gee-I get "only" 15 hours to complete the test) and pass it! At least only 60 is considered passing. Alot of this involves statistics and for someone who last took Algebra about 27 years ago- it's almost impossible for me to understand.

After I pass the (stupid!) test, I then get to complete a "project" that'll involve hours and hours and hours applying all the stuff I supposedly learned. I just glad I'm someone else's problem to get certified 'cause they'll be holding my hand the whole way!

Just had to vent........I've got to have my DH hide the cable internet cord tonite so I can spend my time studying tomorrow.

 

[helenabear]

I admit I know nothing about Six Sigma, but it sounds like it is a pain. Best of luck to you as you take the test and finish up certification!!

 

[Cindy B]

Six Sigma was a credential some of the adjunct professors had in my former job. (I worked at a college!)


Unfornately, It is a very complex course for marketing professionals/CFOs/CIO's. (Some marketing/business profs had these credentials)


It doesn't seem to end either... and it was pretty popular back a while ago....

Good luck!

 

[kmr]

I'm KMR's husband and I got certified in six sigma about 1 1/2 years ago by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). I've worked in quality for 25 years and was laid off about 2 years ago (high tech industry). I got the "cert" to help me find a job but it didn't help in that industry. I'm working in construction now (low tech industry) The pay is lower, but at least it's a stable job market.
Where do you work? They must be a high quality company to be pursuing 6 sigma. Good luck with the statistics, they tend to overload you with the math. You just need to learn the basics of SPC and the philosophy that making products as close to the target within spec as possible is the most efficient way to manufacture anything.
Good luck with the studying. I found it best to study for 1-2 hours every day, rather than cram for 4-8 hours. It gives things time to settle in and you don't go into information overload. Feel free to write if I can help you with anything!

Good Luck again,
Gerry
email: spuckie8@juno.com

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I work for one of the companies best known for Six Sigma. Although Motorola were the one's who pioneered it General Electric is the company that gets alot of the recognition for it in the Grad. School case studies. It's not that bad really, what gets really scary (been doing it for 5 years) is when you actually (sub-conciously) start spewing the virtues of a Six Sigma process to the city building department for not coordinating with the police department that you need a temporary overnight street parking permit, because your driveway is being repaved.

In my company, you can't be a manager without it.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Never heard of it....I think I'll stick with being a lunch lady in a school cafeteria! According to my DH, I only have to worry about making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all day! Good luck!

 

[Snoozan]

I work for GE in insurance, but what kills me is that I'm not a manager-I'm pretty much a Customer Service Rep so I don't "own" any process that I can apply this Six Sigma methodology to. I can see if you're in a production world(like airplane parts)this might be a good process-but insurance??? It's not life or death if some process that takes 5 days now could actually be done in 4.93478 days instead.

Okay-enough venting. I've got to get off the internet and put some effort into studying. No wonder I've got a stomachache-I'm so nervous about starting the test on Tues AM.

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

I'm not certified in six sigma quality, but I do know about it, as I took a University course in Quality Assurance last semester and so of course that was covered, plus we had an industry rep come in to make a presentation (I believe from GE). I like stats, but can understand why you would be frustrated. Good luck!!!

 

[BarryHom]

I know that Six Sigma's goal is zero defects, but I don't use it at work.

 

[BarryHom]

I know that Six Sigma's goal is zero defects, but I don't use it at work.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I recently completed a class at work which "qualifies" me to be an internal auditor for ISO. We were learning about the new TS Standard required by the automotive companies. I'll agree that many of the concepts are good and valid, but it seems the ones that are really benefitting ($) from the quality programs are the consultants who teach/certify the programs.

There were a series of Dilbert cartoons from a few years back which focused on ISO. They's be funny if they weren't so true...