What does the concept of six sigma aim to achieve?

The concept of six sigma aims to achieve a level of quality that corresponds to only 3.4 defects per million opportunities. This translates to a very high degree of precision and excellence in processes, effectively minimizing errors and variability. Six sigma is a methodology that focuses on improving process performance by identifying and removing the causes of defects and ensuring that improvements are sustained over time.

In practice, achieving a six sigma level means that a process is functioning at a very high capability, ensuring that the variation is reduced to a point where defects are extremely rare. This operational excellence not only increases product quality but also enhances customer satisfaction and drives business performance. This focus on reducing defects to as low as 3.4 per million distinguishes six sigma as a distinct strategy for quality management and process improvement in various industries, including healthcare.