Six Sigma Fundamentals - A Complete Guide to the System, Methods and Tools

By D. H. Stamatis

PRODUCTIVITY PRESS

NEW YORK , NEW YORK

Copyright 2004 by Productivity Press, a Division of Kraus Productivity Organization, Ltd.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

 Stamatis, D. H., 1947-    Six Sigma fundamentals : a complete guide to the system,   methods and tools / D. H. Stamatis.      p. cm. 

ISBN 1-56327-292-X

1. Quality control—Statistical methods. 2. Production management—Statistical methods. 3. Six sigma (Quality control standard) I. Title.

TS156.S735 2003

658.4'013—dc22

2003017249

06 05 04 03 02 5 4 3 2 1

To

Aristea and Boula

Acknowledgments

This volume is the result of encouragement from many friends and colleagues. High on the list of the individuals who started me thinking about writing this one self-contained volume are Dr. Ranjider Kapur and Ms. Janet MacDonald. Their constant reminder of the need for a single volume addressing the general items of the six sigma methodology without the "fluffiness" resulted in the forming of not only the title of the book, but also the content and the glossary.

Mr. Stephen Stamatis for his thorough work with the computer and the generation of the tables on the Poison and binomial distribution, as well as the generation of the traditional sigma (abridged) conversion table—using the METLAB software.

For constructing the forms on the CD, I thank Cary D. Stamatis and Stephen D. Stamatis for their contribution in both designing and drawing the forms.

Drs. R. Munro and E. Rice as always were available to bounce around ideas and content at short notice and eager to suggest approaches for handling the content.

The participants of several seminars through the Detroit section of the American Society of Quality, who gave plenty of suggestions and comments to make this book a reality and more reader friendly.

To my friends Mr. Ron Butler and H. Jamal their loyalty, friendship and constant encouragement to complete this project—for their belief in me.

The editors of the text, Michael Sinocchi and Emily Pillars, whose excellent suggestions made this a better book.

Finally, my family and especially my dearest wife for understanding and putting up with me during this project—especially for the long hours in the "basement office."

About the author

Diomidis H. Stamatis, PhD, ASQ-Fellow, CQE, CMfgE, Master Black Belt, is currently president of Contemporary Consultants, in Southgate, Michigan. He received his B.S./B.A. Degree in Marketing from Wayne State University, his Master's Degree from Central Michigan University, and his PhD in Instructional Technology and business/statistics from Wayne State University.

Dr. Stamatis is a specialist in Quality Science, Management Consulting, Organizational Development, and an adjunct faculty in Central Michigan University. He has also taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in Statistics, Operations Management, Technology and Environment and Project Management, for the University of Michigan, Florida Institute of Technology and Central Michigan University.

With more than 30 years of experience in management, quality training and consulting, Dr. Stamatis has served and consulted for numerous industries in the private and public sectors. His consulting extends across the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Southeast Asia, Japan, China, India, and Europe. Dr. Stamatis has written more than 70 articles in professional and academic journals, and has presented many speeches at national and international conferences on quality. He is a contributing author in several books and the sole author of 20 books. His latest major work is the Six Sigma and Beyond, a seven-volume exhaustive study of six sigma methodology, published by St. Lucie Press (2002–2003).

He is an active member of the Detroit Engineering Society, American Society for Training and Development, The American Marketing Association, American Research Association, and the American Society for Quality.