Conformance to specifications, zero defects, and six sigma quality: a closer look

The aim of this article is to present “a closer look” at the management theory of “Six Sigma Quality” and to contrast it with the management theory of Dr. W. Edwards Deming. This paper will offer a perspective that the critical differences between “Six Sigma Quality” and the teachings of Dr. Deming are not technical, but rather philosophical in nature. This explanation briefly compares the technical aspects of Six Sigma Quality and Deming’s theory and devotes a greater emphasis on the paradigms, vocabularies and subsequent intent imbedded in these approaches. Given the significant gains attributed to Six Sigma Quality as a quality improvement philosophy, consider the greater gains that could be achieved if improvements could be applied to the very philosophy of Six Sigma Quality itself. Such gains would be realized by challenging the assumptions imbedded in “zero defects” as a quality goal and replacing it with the philosophy of “minimizing loss to society”.