ABSTRACT
Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) originated in the US Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Like Six Sigma, it seeks to understand the customer's perceptions, needs, and expectations that are critical to ensure a successful product. Additionally, DFSS is a proactive, rigorous, and systematic method using tools, training, and measurements for integrating customer requirements into the product development process. By preventing defects, DFSS increases the probability of success (reliability) and the robustness of the product much earlier by applying scientific methods like: Quality functional deployment; Failure mode and effects analysis; and Robust design optimization. A well-developed DFSS project development plan will help to ensure success and maximize the return on investment. The greater the initial investment in DFSS methodology to eliminate design issues, the lower are the life cycle costs associated with the process.
