Six Sigma was launched as a corporate quality goal at Motorola on Thursday, January 15, 1987, by means of an executive directive from Bob Galvin, CEO, sent to all employees.
Although Six Sigma was introduced as a quality goal "Achieve Six Sigma Capability by 1992", it later developed into a methodology for process characterization, optimization and control.
To better understand the development and contributors to Six Sigma we trisect it into:
- 1. Name
- 2. ± 1.5 Sigma Shift
- 3. Methodology
The name "Six Sigma" is attributed to Mr. William Smith, Quality Engineer of Motorola Corporate, Schaumberg, IL.
The "± 1.5 Sigma Shift" and its relationship to 3.4 parts-per-million is attributed to Dr. Mikel Harry, Principal Staff Engineer of Motorola Government Electronic Group, Communications Division, Scottsdale, AZ.
The "Methodology" of Six Sigma, that is, the actual order of the tools, techniques and sequence of statistical methods into a five stage or five phases is attributed to Mr. Mario Perez-Wilson, Staff Engineer of Motorola Government Electronic Group, Tactical Electronics Division, Scottsdale, AZ.
It was only after Mr. Perez-Wilson created and documented the five stage methodology to achieve and sustain Six Sigma in his book M/PCpS®, that Six Sigma transitioned from a quality goal to a methodology for improvement.
This is the triad of principal architects of Six Sigma.
Note: M/PCpS® is a federally registered service mark and trademark of Advanced Systems Consultants.
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