Six Sigma is a management strategy which uses data and statistical measurement tools to optimize business processes. Being used initially by big companies such as Motorola and General Electrics (GE), Six Sigma applies instruments and techniques with the aim of eliminating defects and decreasing the process variation.

It does so, by equipping individuals with the necessary expertise to comprehend and practice the Six Sigma methodologies, which concentrate on improving products, services and processes that substantially contribute to the bottom-line profitability of the organizations they work for. Sigma, as a statistical term is employed to assess how far the deviation of given processes differ from perfection. By identifying the number of defects, and then the solutions that eliminate them, you can say that in theory you operate with “Six Sigma quality.” In other words, with 6 Sigma the process will be 99.9997% or 99.7 good and will have no more than 0.00034% or 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO).