The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Greenbelts, Blackbelts, and Managers at All Levels, Revised and Expanded Edition [Hardcover]

Thomas Pyzdek (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071410155 | ISBN-13: 978-0071410151 | Publication Date: March 20, 2003 | Edition: 2nd revised

The most comprehensive Six Sigma reference available, now revised and expanded. Completely rewritten and reorganized, this second edition of The Six Sigma Handbook covers all the basic statistics and quality improvement tools of the Six Sigma quality management system. This new edition reflects the developments in Six Sigma over the past few years and will help maintain the book's position as the leading comprehensive guide to Six Sigma. Key changes to this edition include:

New chapters on DFSS (Design for Six Sigma)

Minitab, the most popular statistical software for Six Sigma

Six Sigma philosophy and values

Flowcharting

SIPOC Coverage of the core problem-solving technique DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control)

Dozens of downloadable, customizable Six Sigma work sheets

New material on important advanced Six Sigma tools such as FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The management information and statistical tools you need to successfully implement Six Sigma

Six Sigma has helped organizations of all types and sizes improve the quality of processes and products while simultaneously increasing customer satisfaction and saving billions of dollars. The Six Sigma Handbook covers the management systems and statistical tools that are the foundation for this revolutionary new approach to management.

Thomas Pyzdek offers expert, proven advice on using Six Sigma to retain customers and enhance bottom line performance while cutting costs dramatically. He explains exactly how to make Six Sigma work, including organizing for Six Sigma, the various levels of technical proficiency required, criteria for selecting personnel for training, using customer requirements to drive strategy and operations, successful project management, and much more.

For the manager or quality professional charged with implementing or supporting Six Sigma--no matter the industry--this timely guide will help any organization achieve the goal of becoming a truly world-class operation. Topics include:

• How to organize for Six Sigma
• How to use DMAIC to dramatically improve existing products and processes
• How to use Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and Lean to create new, world-class products and processes
• Complete coverage of all major problem-solving and statistical tools and techniques, from basic to advanced tools such as DOE and logistic regression
• How to use MINITAB^TM and Microsoft Excel® to perform statistical analyses
• How to avoid common traps and pitfalls during implementation

The Six Sigma management system is helping numerous companies improve the quality of their products and processes. The Six Sigma Handbook is the comprehensive reference guide you need to successfully implement Six Sigma. It describes the statistical tools and problem-solving techniques that comprise Six Sigma, explaining how to use them effectively throughout your organization. Author/consultant Thomas Pyzdek offers the expert guidance and direction you need to implement the Six Sigma promise in your company--and avoid the traps and pitfalls commonly encountered in the process.

You'll get a complete overview of the management and organization of Six Sigma and the philosophy that underlies it. Pyzdek uses clear, detailed examples throughout to demonstrate exactly how to make this program work for you. You'll see how best to prepare management for the idea of using proven scientific methods to run a business and how to build the groundwork for their roles.

This book presents vital information on selecting the right personnel to train, the various levels of technical proficiency required, building the best teams, and fostering effective leadership. Directing you on how to handle successful project management from start to finish, Pyzdek also:

• Explains how to make your organization customer-focused--a vital requirement for implementing Six Sigma
• Identifies where specific techniques can--and cannot--be applied in the process
• Includes inspiring and instructive case studies about the success of Six Sigma at Motorola, General Electric, and other companies that have reaped the rewards

Plus, you'll learn when and how to use the more advanced Six Sigma topics--everything from design of experiments (DOE) and response surface methods (RSM) to chi-square contingency tables and analysis of categorical data--that you may take advantage of when your new system is in place.

If you're ready to transform your company...realize significant gains in quality, productivity, and sales...and take the necessary steps to ensure that your company will flourish in the new world economy, The Six Sigma Handbook is the guidebook you need to reach your goals.

About the Author

Thomas Pyzdek is a quality consultant, entrepreneur, author, educator, software developer, and speaker. He writes a regular column for Quality Digest and is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality (ASQ). He conducts seminars on Six Sigma for the American Society for Quality, and has received that organizations "Edwards" award. His clients and employers cover a wide range of industries including Ford, GM, McDonald's, Avon, Hughes Aircraft Company Missile Systems Group, and the Tucson Medical Center.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 848 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 2nd revised edition (March 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071410155
• ISBN-13: 978-0071410151
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #441,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Pyzdek is a Six Sigma consultant with 30 years of experience in the field. His clients include Ford, McDonald's, Intuit, Avon Products, and many other companies. Mr. Pyzdek is a recipient of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Edwards Medal for outstanding contributions to the practice of quality management.Paul Keller is vice president of and senior consultant with Quality America, a Six Sigma Training company. Nearly 3,000 students to date have used his Six Sigma training program to achieve Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt certifications. Mr. Keller is the author of Six Sigma Demystified.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just Another Statistics Tome, May 4, 2004

By 

Six Sigma Pro (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Greenbelts, Blackbelts, and Managers at All Levels, Revised and Expanded Edition (Hardcover)

I have been doing Six Sigma projects for GE worldwide for over six years. I was very pleased to find a book that doesn't pontificate about the benefits of Six Sigma without telling the practitioner what to do on a Monday morning. The organization of the tools using the DMAIC framework is especially useful for the beginning BB who is trying to make sense of the weeks of training while they are executing their projects.

Some sections, such as the TVM and Risk and Reliability analysis, are missing from the usual BB training and are welcome additions for extending the traditional Six Sigma methodology to `Lean' type projects.

Screen shots of Minitab and Excel make it a useful resource for refreshing techniques learned long ago.

The application of reliability analysis to call center abandonment rates is an interesting application of known techniques to a new area.

"The Six Sigma Handbook" is one of only a few reference books on Six Sigma that I have at my desk.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The 6 Sigma Bible, September 30, 2005

By 

Chickey (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Greenbelts, Blackbelts, and Managers at All Levels, Revised and Expanded Edition (Hardcover)

NOT a study guide for certification, but the absolute authority on why, how and when to implement six sigma methodologies into your organization. Before you even begin to debate whether six sigma is right for your organization or not, buy this book, expense it, and give it to your CEO for the holidays.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, May 3, 2005

By 

Gregory P. Ferguson "Ferg" (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Six Sigma Handbook: The Complete Guide for Greenbelts, Blackbelts, and Managers at All Levels, Revised and Expanded Edition (Hardcover)

Tom Pyzdek has a gift for explaining complex topics in simple terms. While the Six Sigma Handbook is a complete and accurate discussion of the material, unlike many books on this topic, this one is clear and easy to understand. Tom has actually used these techniques and his examples and explanations are easy to follow. Many books on this subject deal with theory or math. Tom tells you what to do to solve problems. The Six Sigma Handbook is a must-read for Engineers and Managers.