| Six Sigma in manufacturing is completely | | | | step is to begin with 'the customer is |
| understandable. For the same logic to | | | | always right' approach. You can use a |
| apply to software products, it still has | | | | number of metrics, tools and charts to |
| a long way to go to establish itself. | | | | define customer specifications for |
| However, for the moment it is safe to | | | | critiquing and analyzing various |
| assume that there exist factors within | | | | parameters such as cost, quality and |
| the software industry that contribute to | | | | schedules at different levels. |
| the shift that we discussed above. This | | | | There is no reason why Six Sigma will |
| also makes way for examples such as | | | | not go beyond cosmetic improvements and |
| constant changing tools like hardware & | | | | changes in the software industry. The |
| software, decline in adherence to | | | | 'goal questioning metric' or GQM, may be |
| procedures, etc. | | | | made use of in combination with other |
| Level of CMM© At Which Six Sigma Can Be | | | | tools. The GQM technique combines well |
| Applied | | | | with the DMAIC model of Six Sigma. This |
| Six Sigma needs to be applied a bit | | | | is especially helpful, especially with |
| differently when it comes to software | | | | Six Sigma being more focused on data- |
| service companies. For a company | | | | driven techniques. |
| intending to streamline their processes, | | | | However, you must keep in mind that when |
| Six Sigma contributes well by way of | | | | applying Six Sigma in your organization, |
| helping to refine the mechanism. | | | | it is necessary that suitability of a |
| It may not seem too practical to talk | | | | chosen tool or technique is established |
| about defect-free processes so that you | | | | beforehand. |
| can begin implementation. The need here | | | | The Big Question |
| is the road map for organizations to | | | | The big question as to whether Six Sigma |
| work on defect control targets in | | | | can really be applied as successfully in |
| stages. CMM level 1 and level 2 | | | | the software industry as it was to |
| companies may find Six Sigma to be ideal | | | | manufacturing is still being debated. |
| to augment their framework application | | | | The real challenge is to see if it can |
| procedures for defect reduction. Levels | | | | be implemented without reinventing the |
| above 3 will have attained the maturity | | | | wheel. There is also disagreement among |
| levels sufficient for immediately | | | | leaders in the software industry about |
| implementing framework of measurement | | | | the need for Six Sigma. |
| practices and will proceed further. At | | | | One possible solution is that the proven |
| the mature levels of CMM 4 and 5, you | | | | processes of CMM, PSP and ISO can always |
| can establish the complex metrics of | | | | contribute while Six Sigma can be used a |
| 'true' Six Sigma to maximize leverage. | | | | complimentary tool. Six Sigma in the |
| Techniques of Six Sigma for Software | | | | software industry must have caused a few |
| As with manufacturing, the fundamental | | | | eyelids to bat in its early days. |