ABSTRACT
Six Sigma was developed by Motorola in 1981, in an effort to reduce defects. During the 1980s, it spread to recognized companies including General Electric and Allied Signal. Six Sigma incorporated TQM (Total Quality Management) as well as SPC (Statistical Process Control) and expanded from a manufacturing focus to other industries and processes. Motorola documented more than $16 billion in savings. This is when many other companies decided to adopt the methodology. Naturally, the Six Sigma methodology has evolved over time. A core belief is that manufacturing and business processes share characteristics that can be measured, analyzed, improved, and controlled.
