Three Six Sigma transitions and organisational preparedness exercise – today's imperatives for tomorrow's success. (9th March 2005) - Sadagopan, P.
Ever since General Electric, Motorola, and other top companies reported a substantial financial gain as a result of implementing the Six Sigma programme, the momentum towards infusing it in an organisational arena started. Thereafter, researchers working on Six Sigma programmes have been reporting its prowess. Meanwhile, in recent literature, some authors have reported its failure in organisations. In this background, this paper is being brought out with the objective of guiding today's organisations to prepare for successfully implementing the Six Sigma programme. This paper presents the three Six Sigma transitions which the organisations shall effect to successfully implement the Six Sigma programme. An organisational preparedness exercise is proposed to determine and carry out the nature and level of activities to effect these three Six Sigma transitions. The practicality of the organisational preparedness exercise was examined in a "Total Quality Management" cultured Indian company. The paper concludes by claiming that the three Six Sigma transitions and organisational preparedness exercise, contributed in this paper, are today's imperatives for ensuring tomorrow's success of the Six Sigma programme.