Implementing Six Sigma, Second Edition: Smarter Solutions Using Statistical Methods

Rather than offering just a brief overview, Implementing Six Sigma devotes individual chapters to all of the tools, so as to provide an in-depth analysis of each. A large selection of diagrams and clarifying exercises demonstrate how to best utilize the tools to successfully minimize defects throughout the production process. To provide a deeper understanding, the book discusses the theories of Edward Deming and the history of the Six Sigma program. Steeped in real world application, it presents numerous examples, as well as copies of actual implementation guides used by Motorola.

In the foreword, Frank Shines, Jr. suggests that Breyfogle's Smarter Six Sigma Solutions (let's call it S4) approach can effectively be applied in areas such as these: organizational strategy and vision, communications and education strategy, corporate culture and history, business economics and project prioritization, organizational and individual skills and competencies, and finally, the pace and degree at which the organization can assimilate change. Paul Tobias (in the Foreword) then suggests that "the key to business success is doing the right thing faster and better and more efficiently that your competition." For S4, the focus is always on the practical: "What are the right Goals and how do you go about achieving them?" Two excellent questions which suggest two others: "Are these still the right goals? How do we know?" Tobias provides an incomplete but nonetheless impressive list of what this book also provides: explanations of basic techniques such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD), and process flowcharting as well as an abundance of powerful statistical techniques and concepts such as exploratory data analysis (graphical techniques), analysis of variance, and measurement capability analysis (gauge studies). Then in another Foreword, Bill Wiggenhorn briefly reviews the evolution of Six Sigma "story" from its origin at Motorola, suggesting that Breyfogle's S4 consolidates not only the traditional Six Sigma process measurements and improvement tools, but also many other useful methodologies into one easy to understand text. [As a hand puppet who appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on television years ago once said, "Easy for you...difficult for me."] The sections entitled "Smarter Six Sigma Solutions Assessments", at the end of many chapters, offer additional insight into the selection of the best approach for a given situation."

Then, in a long-awaited Preface by the author, Breyfogle identifies needs which S4 can fulfill and then explains how his book is organized. He claims that this "guide" has a "keep-it-simple" (KIS) objective to which a hand puppet may refute. To his credit, Breyfogle goes to great length to explain not only his purposes and objectives but also how and serves and achieves them. Finally the text itself. Here are the five Parts:

S4 Deployment Strategy Phase

S4 Measurement Phase

S4 Analysis Phase

S4 Improvement Phase

S4 Control Phase

Then Breyfogle provides four appendices: Equations for Distribution, Descriptive Information, DOE Supplement, and Reference Tables followed by a List of Symbols, Glossary, and References.

I think this book will probably be most helpful to executive-level managers in larger organizations (including non-profits) but I presume to suggest that many (if not most) CEOs of those organizations will have neither the time nor the inclination to absorb and digest all of its contents. (I could be wrong about that.) They and many of their executive-level managers may find Managing Six Sigma more accessible. In addition, I think most owners/CEOs of small-to-midsize companies can also derive substantial benefit from this book if they share Paul Tobias's opinion (quoted earlier) that the key to success in business is "doing the right thing faster and better and more efficiently that your competition." With this book, Breyfogle has created (in effect) for all organizations (regardless of size or nature) an encyclopedia of Six Sigma principles and practices, explained and coordinated within his Smarter Six Sigma Solutions Program .


The must-have on every six sigma shelf   November 12, 2006
Mitchel Martin
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I have been using this book for the past few years and it continues to be the most valuable Six Sigma resource on my bookshelf. It is the most complete and practical Six Sigma book you will find, and worth every dollar. Every six sigma black belt I have worked with owns a copy of this book

This book is absolutely packed with useful examples - providing you with both the formulas to solve the Six Sigma tests, and also the solutions.

This is a manufacturing-centric six sigma book. If you are dedicated to service application of six sigma, I would recommend reading "Six Sigma for Transactions and Service."

If you are interested in learning about six sigma, or are a green-belt or a process improvement or enterprise modeler, this probably isn't the book for you. However if you are a black belt and apply six sigma methods on a consistent basis, this is a must-read ...



Your first stop for any Six Sigma book   July 4, 2003
B. Jackson (Somewhere in, TX United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

This book is my favorite Six Sigma reference and it should have a wide based appeal. Six Sigma novices who are looking for information on where to begin will appreciate the clear and precise information on what Six Sigma is and how it will help their organization. BB's and MBB's will appreciate it as a well organized, well written reference guide with a terrific road map for project management and program implementation. I have a huge collection of Six Sigma books; but once I got a copy of this book I stopped recommending any others to people who ask me... this is the only book I tell them to go buy. It's the only book I have that covers ALL aspects of becoming Six Sigma. A lot of books are happy to explain what the concept is or what the results of Six Sigma have generated for companies but this is the only one that gives you what you need to begin your own program. What I REALLY like is that it does not limit itself to strictly manufacturing environments. It has a really good treatment of service environments and other places where it might seem difficult to apply Six Sigma principles. If you only buy one book about Six Sigma you'd be crazy not to make this one your choice.


Highly recommended Six Sigma resource   June 17, 2000
Susan May (North Little Rock, Arkansas)
46 out of 48 found this review helpful

Statistical tools and methodologies used by Six Sigma are not new but generally have been reserved for Quality and Engineering functions. My training and experience with Six Sigma crossed paths with employees across all departments - Buyers, Supervisors, floor employees, Human Resources, Finance, as well as Quality and Engineering personnel.

What makes "Implementing Six Sigma" significant is you do not have to be an expert in statistics or even in the Quality field to understand and implement the tools of Six Sigma. Forrest details and further defines the tools in an easy to read format, plenty of exercises and examples, and a thorough appendix. I didn't discover this book until recently and have since replaced over a dozen reference books.

Depending on the problem at hand, tool usage varies and not all are applicable (to one's project) or taught in training. I had excellent Black Belt instructors but Forrest's book would have come in handy during my training and would have been an invaluable resource when facilitating Green Belt training. Recommended for those new, and not so new, to Six Sigma.


Well-presented Six Sigma applications.   February 6, 2004
Nick Dayton PhD (Lake Forest, Illinois United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I've read many books on Six Sigma analytics and consider Forrest Breyfogles' "Implementing Six Sigma" to be the best all-around Six Sigma book available. It is 1,200 pages of Six Sigma program management and applied statistics presented in incremental stages of complexity across many different industries with working examples of production and other business problems to solve. Breyfogle understands that Six Sigma is more than an analytical and program management toolkit, it's a philosophy and an organizational mindset and this is reflected in his writing. If you want or need a single tome to be the central mainstay of your Six Sigma reference library - this is it.