Six Sigma is a state of mind that does not allow for failure. Those aligning their thought processes with this philosophy have one thought in mind, success. This mindset is formula driven and business oriented. Six Sigma is against happenstance. What needs to be known to get the job done and get the job done right with definite specifications, translates into accuracy from the outset.
Schools that devote part of their curriculum to courses introducing this concept to eager young minds are located at various university campuses and are also available online. Schools such as Grand Canyon University in Arizona and many other Career Development schools promote this kind of study. This philosophical mind over matter type of schooling is hard to pin down precisely. At first acquaintance, it appears more of a loose conglomeration of studies scattered throughout the educational system. Its rigidity is a little off putting at first introduction.
Questions arise such as is it conductive to mental health to be so programmed for success in one field when youth are not yet familiar with their best choices? Against that argument, the business world has proof that Six Sigma has it measure of success in the business world. Many successful business leaders successful and even educators trying to turn schools around embrace this idea. Whatever works against lives of crimes certainly cannot be bad. But my basic question remains, is this the best and only approach to success. To answer that is dependent upon each individual’s definition of success and therein lays it success or its failure!
Six Sigma had its beginning in medieval England in the 13th century with the craftsmen who organized guilds. They set down rules for selecting what went into a superior product. With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, this gradually began to change. It changed ever further in North America. The concept did not die but expanded to include the process. How the product was built or manufactured, grown or put together became part of the amended original idea of success. Now it is part of every quality product and in the minds of consumers who demand quality. Even the labeling went through an overhaul.
It is common to hear of quality control and this is certainly a good thing. Quality over quantity is an overall concept in all organizations, neighborhoods, in all places where interaction between humans take place. Yet, as we see today, something is missing. The more quality control tries to succeed, the more it fails. What is going on here? Success and failure is nothing new. It has been with us since the beginning of time. It is what separated the have’s from the have nots, the achievers from the non-achievers and it has built cites and churches, and palaces and has written books and is ongoing.
Yet the problem of failure continues. Where did quality control — Six Sigma theories — go wrong, where did it go right and what is it’s promise for the future? This answer is still up in the air and we await its proclamations.