Six Sigma is a data-driven management system with near-perfect-performance objectives that has been employed to acclaim at leading corporations like General Electric. Its name is derived from the eye-catching statistical target of operating with no more than 3.4 defects per one million chances, but Peter Pande, Robert Neuman, and Roland Cavanagh--associates in a firm providing Six Sigma implementation, training, and management services--contend its principles can be applied in businesses of all types to routinely reduce costs, improve productivity, increase market share, and achieve other positive results. The Six Sigma Way is their comprehensive self-help guide to adapting and using the system under various conditions. Its first two parts cover fundamentals and provide specific suggestions for aligning the process with individual needs and goals. (These include sections on balancing potential costs and benefits, clarifying objectives, and defining time frames.) The final part, which accounts for more than half the book, focuses on implementation through a detailed yet flexible five-step "road map" tied to a company's core processes, key customers, current performance, "high-potential improvement opportunities," and future practices. While the procedure is quite complex, diligent managers should be able to bring at least basic components to their organization with the tools and techniques provided. --Howard Rothman

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 29 Ratings

Dont waste your time with this book! - 2007-12-31
Reviewer Rating:
This book will tell you that six sigma is an excellent quality improvement program, (You probably heard this already) yet authors won't equip reader with the tools that six sigma offers. I read this book twice with a strong desire to understand the principles of the six sigma, but after reading it cover to cover twice I got nowhere.

I like to read, and through the years I read a lot of books, but consider this to be the worst business book I read so far! Jack Welch, in his book Winning (which I strongly recommend) dedicates one short chapter to Six sigma, and it covers everything you will learn from this book. This book offers no substance what's so ever!!

Horridly boring. - 2007-09-12
Reviewer Rating:
More power to you if you can get something worthwile from this book. I bought the book on CD, and it was easily the most forgettable experience I've had in a while. The information is presented from a 30,000 mile view. So "big picture" oriented that it's useless to try and consider the action behind the concepts presented.

If you're looking for a way to appear to have read something complicated and high level about Six Sigma. you found your source. If you want real, usable information, look elsewhere.

Read it thouroughly! - 2008-10-23
Reviewer Rating:
Read it thoroughly! yes, that is the best way I can describe this book. This is THE best book on Six Sigma available in the market. Peter Pande has done a great job in explaining the concept of Six Sigma through this book. If you are Black Belt, or Master Black Belt, or just someone thinking to go that path, this text is an additional source on top of your training material and classroom training. The authors have an extensive experience with Six Sigma and this book will provide you with the basic understanding of what six Sigma is and how to implement it.

It is divided into three parts:
I. Executive Overview - Understanding of Six Sigma and why it works. It is also good to build your pitch to convince your leadership team.

II.How to Prepare for Implementation - what are key roles in Six Sigma, how to select right people for those key roles, and how to get buy-in of key stakeholders.

III. Roadmap: Steps on how to actually implement Six Sigma. tells you how to select the processes and projects to make a solid impact on your business.

Personal opinion, as a Six Sigma professional, you will always learn something new, every time you go through the pages of this book.

Senior Leadership Team meeting goer - 2008-07-09
Reviewer Rating:
look how great i am.....i am a member of the senior leadership team which means i just go to meetings all day and really dont do any work....i just blowhard at work all day like i am blowing hard reviewing this book

Excellent Book - 2007-09-07
Reviewer Rating:
No Joke. A serious six-sigma book written in most elegant form. I like the part where the Authors provide insights into "Sir Pork" - a really good way to put serious stuffs into readable form. Ignore the stars. It could have been 6 :).

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