Six Sigma is nothing but vision of improving quality, which aims at reducing defects to less than 3.4 defects per million count for each service, process, product or transaction. In a nutshell, Six Sigma strives to achieve perfection. While implementing Six Sigma we come across a lot of new term which we need to understand in the context of Six Sigma.

In the course of implementing Six Sigma all of us are exposed to Six Sigma tools of various type and terms relating to quality;

Control Chart - These are charts which monitors variance in any predefined process during a time period and sends alerts to the controlling personnel in case of unexpected variance which result in a defects.

Defect Measurement - Accounting for the number or frequency of defects that cause lapses in product or service quality.

Pareto Diagram -This allows us to focus our time and energy on the problems which cause the maximum problems. It is based on the time proven Pareto principle that 80% of the problems could be attributed to 20% of the sources.

Process Mapping - These are detailed Illustration of how processes are executed visually, which enables the proponents of Six Sigma to identify the weaknesses and attack the problem at its roots

Root Cause Analysis - This involves study and identification of the root causes of any defects which needs to be eliminated.

Statistical Process Control – Statistical methods are required to analyze data, study and monitor variance and take timely actions.

Tree Diagram -This is a visual representation of the goals of the organization broken up into different actions at different levels.

Six Sigma also involves certain special terms used in the Quality control techniques which are unique.

Black Belt- The are the team leader responsible for Six Sigma implementations.

Control – This a Process of decision making using process data.

Customer Needs and Expectations – These are specification of the customers which needs to be met.

Defects -These are the reasons of customer dissatisfaction.

Green Belt -They are the actual field workers involved in implementing Six Sigma though not in full time.

Master Black Belt -The Six Sigma initiators in any organization.

Variance -The difference between expected and actual outcome of any process.