The “for Dummies” book series, and even audio CDs are interesting! They are simple and very informative. That’s why I’m happy to see that there’s a Six Sigma for Dummies book.
Synopsis
Tailored to the needs of small businesses, this guide explains the principles underlying the science of Six Sigma, and describes the tools and methods for implementing Six Sigma in an organization. Adopting the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) strategy, the authors walk through each phase of a Six Sigma project and overview the different types of statistical analysis and management tools available.
Review:
Rolf Dobelli, Founder of getAbstract, May 5, 2006
A Dummies guide, but not dumbed down
Authors Craig Gygi, Neil DeCarlo and Bruce Williams will attract both plaudits and brickbats for this book (no wonder they needed a foreword from Stephen Covey). Six Sigma, originally devised as a method for reducing production defects, has been elevated to a business cult whose jargon and methods are zealously guarded by a priesthood of consultants. This cadre is bound to regard skeptically any step toward making Six Sigma plain to the general business public. We recommends this manual because it successfully walks the tightrope between detailed technical analysis of Six Sigma methods and common sense terminology that is comprehensible to ordinary oxygen-breathers in the business world. Though it gets too heavy on statistics, it also avoids short cuts and fluffy Six Sigma-lite. The book does not delve into the recent trend toward using Six Sigma for carrying out change initiatives. However, given that its objective is to make professionals Six Sigma literate, this oversight is well within the acceptable range of variation.
