The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition [Hardcover]

Thomas Pyzdek (Author), Paul Keller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071623388 | ISBN-13: 978-0071623384 | Publication Date: September 21, 2009 | Edition: 3

The authoritative classic--revised and updated for today's Six Sigma practitioners

Whether you want to further your Six Sigma training to achieve a Black or Green Belt or you are totally new to the quality-management strategy, you need reliable guidance. The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition shows you, step by step, how to integrate this profitable approach into your company's culture.

Co-written by an award-winning contributor to the practice of quality management and a successful Six Sigma trainer, this hands-on guide features:

• Cutting-edge, Lean Six Sigma concepts integrated throughout
• Completely revised material focused on project objectives
• Updated and expanded problem-solving examples using Excel and Minitab
• A streamlined format that puts proven practices at your fingertips

The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition is the only comprehensive reference you need to make Six Sigma work for your company. The book explains how to organize for Six Sigma, how to use customer requirements to drive strategy and operations, how to carry out successful project management, and more. Learn all the management responsibilities and actions necessary for a successful deployment, as well as how to:

• Dramatically improve products and processes using DMAIC and DMADV
• Use Design for Six Sigma to create innovative products and processes
• Incorporate lean, problem-solving, and statistical techniques within the Six Sigma methodology
• Avoid common pitfalls during implementation

Six Sigma has evolved with the changing global economy, and The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition is your key to ensuring that your company realizes significant gains in quality, productivity, and sales in today's business climate.

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Pyzdek is a Six Sigma consultant with over 40 years of experience in the field. His clients include Ford, McDonald’s, Intuit, Boeing, Seagate, 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 and the E.L. Grant Medal for outstanding leadership in the development and presentation of meritorious educational programs in quality. He has also recently received a Lean Six Sigma Leadership award from the American Quality Institute.

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 3 edition (September 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071623388
• ISBN-13: 978-0071623384
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Quality Control
  • #5 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Production & Operations

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

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If I didn't already know about Six Sigma, this book would not have taught me, February 1, 2010

By 

David Elliott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition (Hardcover)

The book contains a lot of information, but it's very difficult to learn from it. I already knew the basics of 6 Sigma, so I was able to understand what the author was talking about. If I didn't already know the concept, it would have been like reading greek. The book never gives a simple overview of what 6 Sigma means. He explains the details of each piece of the jigsaw puzzle, but doesn't tell you what the puzzle will look like in the end. The book begins not with an explanation of what 6 sigma is, but with the benefits of it. He provides equations on limits of r, u, np, sigma, averages charts, and others, early on, but doesn't explain what those charts are until chapter 8. I kept reading and re-reading, thinking that I missed something. Another example: He uses the term "subgroup" in equations, examples, and descriptions of situations. The term "subgroup" is not defined until page 235. Sure, I tried to look it up in the glossary -- it isn't there. I tried the index, as well. It's not there either. Believe me, if you need to read a book in order to learn and understand 6 Sigma, look elsewhere. I admit, I didn't read the entire book. That's because I didn't learn anything in the first 250 pages.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable reference from the authority, December 24, 2010

By 

Stephen Salaka "kenopodragon" (Tokyo Japan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition (Hardcover)

Thomas Pyzdek has been doing 6 sigma and 6 sigma training for many years. The reference manual is an indispensable tool for any SSGB/SSBB. It is extremely comprehensive and thorough and goes over each stage in the DMAIC road map, along with the tools, in a very high level of detail. If you are not enrolled in a SS training course or if you are new to SS, this is not a book you want to be using as a self teaching book - however, for everyone else (those who are SS certified or are going through certification), this handbook is a treasure trove of tools, tips, and techniques for everything six sigma related.

Remember, this book is not designed as a self-study guide (you could use it, but because it jumps into a lot of the more high level material, it would be confusing to many new to SS). This book is designed as a road map and a reference guide for those already familiar with the SS process and methodology and want to gain a better understanding of each of the DMAIC/DMADV process steps, as well as a very thorough overview and in depth discussion of each of the statistical tools. The biggest improvement of this book over the second edition was a more in-depth review of software tools as well as an expanded appendix reviewing statistical charts.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Must HAVE- But a hard read...., January 21, 2010

By 

R. D. Hill (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Six Sigma Handbook, Third Edition (Hardcover)

I took a very in-depth online Six Sigma certification class. This book was the required textbook for the course. It does thoroughly cover all aspects of Six Sigma, but BE WARNED!! It is dry reading FILLED with acronyms that I don't think even certified black-belts could remember all of. I was glad to see another reviewer comment on the writing style. I also found it poorly written. The author reminds me of a boss I once had- it's the classic "I'll just keep talking over everyone's head, until they see my superior intellect or I convince them of their own stupidity." I consider myself to be well educated, and one who picks up almost any project easily. I found myself scratching my head and asking, "SERIOUSLY? Is this guy for real??" While it probably is the definitive Six Sigma textbook, be prepared for the math, algebra, an alphabet soup of acronyms and more corporate "buzz word" speak than you can shake a stick at!