Book Review: What Is Six Sigma?

Book Review: “What is Six Sigma” by Pete Pande and Larry Holpp, McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2002 (ISBN 0-07-138185-6).

Authors Pete Pande and Larry Holpp have authored the perfect book on Six Sigma. At less than 90 pages, “What is Six Sigma?” reads more like Cliff Notes for Six Sigma than a business book, providing readers with only what they need to know; a quick and dirty overview of Six Sigma that can be read in an hour or so.

As you might expect, the book outlines the Six Sigma strategy, the need for such programs, and provides advice for those seeking to adopt quality-based decision-making. It also provides short, informative case studies from organizations that have demonstrated a measurable return on investment from their efforts, as well as financial and process analysis guidance designed to help readers conduct what the authors call “atrocity removal”—the ‘elimination of the dumb things that are unnecessary and a drain on resources”.

Readers will learn the importance of statistical analysis, methods for managing implementation and process re-engineering, as well as ways to tackle a Six Sigma quality improvement initiative.

As with any strategic project, Six Sigma changes roles. Both managers and employees alike are alerted to the expectations adopting Six Sigma will place on their everyday activities. A list of “Nine things you should do and five skills you should develop” is included to help readers prepare for Six Sigma changes.

All in all, you can’t go wrong with “What is Six Sigma?” At $12 (US), it’s a book worth its cover price—and then some.