The mere mention of Six Sigma often elicits a debate as to whether it is has delivered on the huge promises attributed to its use. There have been a number of successes and failures in the application of Six Sigma.

I believe all of the failures have been due to the misapplication of the Six Sigma tool suite. When Six Sigma is used as designed, and as taught, it is an invaluable tool in the analysis and correction of defects and in the design of processes. Notice the word ‘tool’ in the description above, Six Sigma is NOT an end-to-end Quality System. Six Sigma is a rigorous analysis, improvement, and control tool that should be part of any companies quality control systems.

The basis of Six Sigma is DMAIC; Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. Although Six Sigma can be used in a number of ways such as; defect correction, process design, and lean manufacturing the basis remains a rigorous analysis, improvement (or design in the case of a new process), and process control step.

Whether you have an existing Quality Control process and wish to add Six Sigma to your suite of tools, or you need to establish a total Quality Control system, which incorporates Six Sigma, Trinity River Associates can help you is several ways.

1. TRA can audit your existing quality systems for effectiveness and recommend
   changes to the processes that can improve your product quality.
   
   
2. If you would like to add Six Sigma as one of your quality
   improvement tools, TRA can help build your Six Sigma team.
   Building a Six Sigma team is critical to the success of your
   improvement efforts, things such as; who should be Six Sigma Green
   Belts, Black Belts, Master Black Belts, and which employees should
   only receive familiarization training. TRA can help you acquire the
   proper license for use of the tool, and insure the cost to implement Six
   Sigma remains a good value for the expected returns.
   
   
3. TRA can preform all of the necessary training for you and your
   employees, again insuring that the time spent in training and the cost
   to train always remain justified for the expected returns.
   
   
4. If your company needs to implement a total Quality System, TRA can
   present a number of options with recommendations for both the
   system and how to implement the systems. TRA will then work with
   you to implement the right Quality Control process for your
   operation, whether you manufacture or provide a service. The bottom
   line is; whatever system is used it must positively impact your bottom
   line!