Tools

There are many individual tools that one may use to pursue the six sigma methodology. Here, however, we present the tools on a table format along with the individual stage of the DMAIC model. There is not much discussion with each tool since its availability is quite abundant and may be found in many textbooks, training materials, and so on. Some of the most common tools used in the process of implementing six sigma are shown in Table 4.11.

Table 4.11: Typical tools used in the six sigma methodology

Tool	Define	Measure	Analyze	Improve	Control
Flowcharts	X			X
Brainstorming	X		X	X
Cause and effect diagrams	X	X	X
Data collection	X			X	X
Graphs and charts (box plots, histograms, control charts, and so on)	X	X		X	X
Pareto analysis	X	X			X
Measurement		X			X
Problem criteria selection	X
Employee involvement	X
Auditing			X
Benchmarking			X
Central limit theorem		X	X
Checksheets			X
Cleanliness (visual factory)		X	X
Continual improvement techniques (lean manufacturing)			X	X
Customer feedback techniques (surveys, warranty, etc.)			X	X	X
Control plan	X				X
Design of experiment				X
FMEA			X	X	X
Gage control				X
Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)		X	X		X
Preventive maintenance			X
Process capability	X
Project planning	X				X
Sampling plans			X	X
Self-directed teams		X	X	X	X
Standard operating procedures	X	X			X

These tools help the experimenter with the following items in the process of a legitimate and authorized program or project:

• Giving appropriate and applicable feedback (vertical and horizontal).

• Dealing with change.

• Working smarter.

• Being a team player.

• Listening to understand clearly.

• Taking a new assignment.

• Requesting help (as needed).

• Getting your point across (two-way communicating).

• Resolving issues with others (conflict resolution).

• Actively participating in any meeting.

• Keeping management informed.

• Responding positively to negative people/situations.