The size of the business is also not an issue anymore, as is evident from the ever-growing number of sole proprietorships and small and medium sized businesses that have successfully deployed Six Sigma. So, how is it that Six Sigma is so very versatile? Well, there are many reasons for this, but the main reason is that even after years of evolution, the basic characteristics of Six Sigma still remain the same.

Even basic objectives such as improving quality, increasing efficiency, and achieving a near-perfect defect rate that does not exceed 3.4 per million opportunities that might exist for such defects to occur, continue to remain the same. These objectives along with the basic characteristics form the core of Six Sigma deployments even today.

Businesses that want to ensure successful Six Sigma deployments will have to consider these factors before actually starting the deployment process. For better understanding, let us discuss some of the most prominent characteristics of Six Sigma deployments.

Data Driven Approach

Following a data-driven approach is inherent to all Six Sigma project deployments and is one the main factors responsible for Six Sigma's phenomenal success as a quality improvement methodology. It helps because when decisions are based on hard facts and statistics, the chances of errors and inaccuracies are reduced dramatically.

This is applicable even more so in high-tech industries, where business processes have become quite complex and managers just cannot afford to risk it all on their personal experience and gut feelings.

Continuous Quality Improvements

All Six Sigma deployments stress continuous quality improvements, something that makes them far more effective than any other type of quality improvement technique. It makes it possible for businesses to improve their product offerings in line with changing customer needs and requirements.

This in turn allows them to remain competitive in the marketplace, a prerequisite for ensuring success in the long run.

Communications

Since Six Sigma deployments involve all the various stakeholders such as employees, deployment team members, Black Belts and other Six Sigma professionals, departmental heads, senior managers, and top management, it becomes necessary for businesses to provide an effective communications platform that enables the free flow of information.

Businesses that emphasize communication during deployments find it easier to take timely decisions, a prerequisite for successful Six Sigma deployments. Effective communication also aids the timely procurement of men and material as might be required during the deployment process. Considering all these factors, it would not be wrong to say that effective communication is one of the most prominent characteristics of Six Sigma deployments.

Most Six Sigma deployments are quite complex, but if businesses concentrate on these basic characteristics, it would become easier for them to complete the deployments in a timely manner. Unleashing the full potential of Six Sigma will then no longer be a problem for these businesses.