Glossary
Six Sigma
What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a quality management methodology that aims to minimize defects and improve efficiency in business processes. It uses statistical analysis and a data-driven approach to identify and eliminate sources of waste and variability to produce consistent results.
How is Six Sigma relevant in Pharma?
- Six Sigma helps pharmaceutical companies identify and eliminate defects in their processes, leading to improved quality of their products and increased customer satisfaction
- Using Six Sigma, pharmaceutical companies can identify and eliminate waste in their processes, resulting in reduced production costs, increased efficiency, and better financial performance
- The highly regulated pharmaceutical industry must adhere to strict standards. Six Sigma provides a systematic and data-driven approach to quality control, helping companies comply with regulations
What are the key principles of Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is guided by several key principles that provide a framework for process improvement and defect reduction. Here are the core principles:
- Clearly identify the problem or opportunity for improvement. Understand the current process and desired outcomes.
- Collect relevant data and metrics to establish a baseline for improvement. Measure process performance and identify areas of variation.
- Analyse the data to identify root causes of defects or inefficiencies. Determine the critical factors impacting the process.
- Develop and implement solutions based on the analysis. This may involve process changes, error-proofing measures, or technological improvements.
- Establish controls to ensure that the improvements are sustained over time. Monitor the process to prevent defects and maintain the desired level of quality.
- Six Sigma emphasizes understanding customer needs and requirements. It aims to deliver products and services that meet or exceed customer expectations.
