ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the phases of Six Sigma maturity and how it can change and grow over time. It describes this maturity and growth is through the use of S-Curves or maturity curves. The elements of a set of S-Curves are the future state, the current state, phases of maturity, and a timescale. Each S-Curve represents a new set of capabilities. The company builds these capabilities by applying Six Sigma to new questions and problems. Each new application leads to the acquisition of new skills and the development of new processes. When S-Curves are used to plan for change, the starting point is always the future state. S-Curves describe the maturity or growth of a change over time in a way that helps to see both what has occurred in the past and the future plan. Both the S-Curve and Kano models are useful individually for thinking about change. They are even more powerful together.
