Integrating six sigma with quality management systems

In the last ten years, six sigma has written an incomparable success story. Six sigma was especially publicized by Jack Welch, who has established it successfully since 1995 as CEO of General Electric. According to one of the last annual reports, more than a billion dollars were spent in the necessary project resources, as well as in the advanced training of employees in the last years. Nevertheless, an enormous profit in the billion dollar range could be achieved annually (Töpfer, 2002). The numerous publications of this success story have set the basis for the success of six sigma....