RE: SIX SIGMA

["Jerry Mairani" <quality1@inreach.com>]

Timing is everything and it is interesting how this subject has come back to the
Den after more than a year with what seems to be a widening point of view.  I
could not agree more with Rib and others who have looked at Six Sigma as a
system with statistics.  Here in Sacramento our most successful to date monthly
ASQ meeting was hosted by H.P. Rocklin where Aero Jet presented Six Sigma
projects.  Much like Rip, I kept close tabs on how well what was being presented
aligned with Dr. Deming.  This was important at the time as I was teaching
Deming Philosophy for American River College in Del Nelson's program.  From my
point of view it aligns fairly well.  I believe I made an attempt at that time
to defend the mostly negative DEN comments to no avail.  I believe Dr. Deming's
"how could they know" applies quite well when it comes to Six Sigma and those of
us not working for organizations with deep pockets, you might say, "how can we
know."  To my knowledge there is not an affordable way to learn Six Sigma well
without attending "THE ACCADIMY."  As to ASQ support of Six Sigma, I should be
learning more about this, as I am the ASQ Region 6 Director - Elect. - 2001
through 2002.  Presently, there is quite a lot of discussion within ASQ
regarding support for products.  For now however, I do not know enough to
explain ASQ's position and logic.

Jerry J. Mairani
qulaity1@inreach.com

[Moderator's Addition:  We all know that Deming did not recognize the term
TQM as he said it had no common understanding (see operational definition).
I really think that Six Sigma is the same issue -- 900 DENizens = 900 opinions
as to what Six Sigma is -- good and bad - simple and complex.
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