The Six Sigma Management Approach - Essay Example

The concept of ‘six-sigma’ however dates back to the nineteenth century with Gaussian idea of the normal curve. Gauss developed a concept that measured variance in products and processes. Using the normal curve as a basis and integrating both statistical techniques and management concept, Shewhart developed the concept of three sigma as an identification of the point of standard deviation beyond which errors should not be tolerated. The actual development of the six sigma approach was however a result of Motorola Company’s initiative, spearheaded by Smith to improve quality of its product and change its image that had lost reputation in the press and industry.

It was however not until the year 1995 when the approach became popular through General Electric’s Welch who made the approach his organization’s identity. The ‘six-sigma’ approach is therefore a mathematical concept that has been applied in business management to eliminate wastes for efficiency (Islam, 2006). The purpose of ‘six-sigma’ approach is to eliminate errors in processes in order to satisfy consumers’ needs. This purpose is achieved by identifying intolerable levels of errors for necessary actions (Islam, 2006).

Implementation of the ‘six-sigma’ Implementation of the ‘six-sigma’ involves four major steps that are further divided into sub steps. The first step in implementation of ‘sigma-six’ is assessment of an organization. This stage involves exploration of the organization’s internal factors, a competitive organization for benchmarking, and a subsequent comparison. This is followed by deciding on the approach and allocation of responsibility. The second step involves planning in which the scope of the business, its objectives and drivers as well as its resources is identified for budgeting and approval.

Implementation of the strategy, the third step, involves training, application of the approach’s concepts, evaluation, and management of results. The last step in implementing the ‘six-sigma’ involves a continuous monitoring and evaluation of processes for better quality (Harrington, 2006). The scope of healthcare and application of ‘six-sigma’ in health care The scope of healthcare involves meeting patients’ needs through diagnosing their problems and administering medication for curative or preventive purposes.

Healthcare therefore aims at ensuring people’s well being. This scope provides a variety of avenues and reasons for application of the ‘six-sigma’ program. The approach, as a tool for quality improvement is effective in developing potential in technology dependent processes such as in the X ray department. The method is also used to enhance patients’ utility levels by ensuring that their needs are efficiently met. The scope of the program that allows for identification of wastes for corrective measures also establishes its applicability in ensuring accuracy in processes such as laboratory testing and determination of results, billing and medical processes (Antony, Antony and Tanner, n.d.).

Benefits of the approach in my organization The approach, based on its possible application in my organization, induces a number of benefits. One of the benefits of the strategy is its quality improvement potential that ensures customers’ satisfaction. As a result, it develops a good corporate image of an organization among consumers. The ability to reduce errors in processes also safeguards patient’