What does Six Sigma primarily focus on?

Six Sigma primarily focuses on reducing variability and defects in processes. This methodology aims to improve the quality of process outputs by identifying and removing the causes of errors and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes. The objective is to achieve near perfection through a systematic approach that employs statistical methods and tools.

By concentrating on reducing defects to a level where the process produces less than 3.4 defects per million opportunities, Six Sigma enhances overall process efficiency and effectiveness. This emphasis on quality not only helps in meeting customer expectations but also drives cost reductions by minimizing waste and rework.

While speeding up production time, increasing customer engagement, and expanding product lines can be important operational goals, they are not the core focus of Six Sigma. Instead, those elements can often be seen as results of implementing Six Sigma practices effectively, as improving process quality inherently leads to enhanced operational performance and customer satisfaction.