Six Sigma Foundations
3h 32mBeginner2026-08-31
Authors
Richard Chua
Professor and certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt trainer
Course details
Six Sigma is a customer-focused, data-driven approach to process improvement. In this course, Dr. Richard Chua covers the fundamentals of Six Sigma and walks you through the five phases of DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. Explore core concepts including critical-to-quality (CTQ) requirements, variation, defects per million opportunities (DPMO), and the roles of Six Sigma professionals. Richard also introduces practical problem-solving tools and techniques using examples from today's digital, hybrid, and AI-enabled workplaces. This course is designed for business professionals, team leads, and managers who want a practical foundation in Six Sigma—no formal belt certification required.
Learning objectives
Explain what Six Sigma is and why it matters for improving business processes.
Identify defects, variation, and waste in digital and service-based workflows.
Apply the DMAIC framework to structure a simple improvement effort.
Use basic tools (such as SIPOC, VOC, and root-cause analysis) to analyze problems.
Leverage AI responsibly to support early-stage analysis, documentation, and idea generation.
Learning objectives
Explain what Six Sigma is and why it matters for improving business processes.
Identify defects, variation, and waste in digital and service-based workflows.
Apply the DMAIC framework to structure a simple improvement effort.
Use basic tools (such as SIPOC, VOC, and root-cause analysis) to analyze problems.
Leverage AI responsibly to support early-stage analysis, documentation, and idea generation.
Concepts
Introduction
- Improve performance with Six Sigma
Introduction to Six Sigma
- What is Six Sigma
- Overview of Six Sigma DMAIC
- Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma
- Roles of executives and champions in Six Sigma
- Six Sigma Belts
Key Concepts in Six Sigma
- Critical-to-quality metrics (CTQs)
- Cost of poor quality or COPQ
- Variation and the normal curve
- DPMO or Defects per million opportunities
- Sigma levels
Selection of Six Sigma Projects
- Is it a Six Sigma DMAIC project
- Select the Six Sigma team
The Define Phase in Six Sigma
- Steps in the Define phase of Six Sigma DMAIC
- Six Sigma problem and goal statements
- Six Sigma DMAIC project charter
- How to use SIPOC diagrams
The Measure Phase in Six Sigma
- Steps in the Measure phase of Six Sigma DMAIC
- How to map the current process
- Six Sigma Measure phase data collection plan
- Types of data and graphs
- Measurement system analysis
- Process capability and sigma level
The Analyze Phase in Six Sigma
- Steps in the Analyze phase of Six Sigma DMAIC
- How to use the cause-effect diagram
- Introduction to hypothesis testing
- Six Sigma Analyze phase data collection plan
- How to analyze discreet
- How to analyze continuous
- How to analyze process maps
The Improve Phase in Six Sigma
- Steps in the Improve phase of Six Sigma DMAIC
- Generate potential solutions
- Evaluate and select solutions
- Reduce the risk of failure through FMEA
- Mistake proofing, error-proofing, or poka-yoke
- Pilot test and implement
The Control Phase in Six Sigma
- Steps in the Control phase of Six Sigma DMAIC
- The process control plan in DMAIC
- How to use SPC charts
- Process capability charts in Six Sigma DMAIC
AI and Six Sigma
- How AI is transforming Six Sigma
- AI and Six Sigma in hospitality and retail
- Six Sigma and AI in financial services and insurance
- Six Sigma and AI in healthcare
Six Sigma in the Modern Workplace
- Six Sigma in Agile environments
- Six Sigma and sustainability
- Six Sigma in hybrid remote work environments
Conclusion
- Engage in Six Sigma projects