Skip to main content
Dictionary
Store
Blog
World
Help
Advertise
Chat
System Status
Information Collection Notice
Trademark Concerns
reCAPTCHA Privacy
Terms of Service
reCAPTCHA Terms
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Report a Bug
Data Request
Contact Us
Security
DMCA
© 1999–2026 Urban Dictionary ®
Mugs
Tees
Hoodies
Pro Customization
Create unique products with your own words and definitions
Preview
Personalize Your Design
Your Word
Your Definition
It is the aim of great manufacturing companies (starting with Motorola in the 1980s) to remove substantially all error from both their fabrication and business processes—their goal is to achieve 6 sigma; that is, an error or defect rate that is equal to or less than: (1 – 99.99966%). Looked at another way, this implies that only one in every 294,118 things that a six sigma company does is defective and has to be either discarded or done again. Now most service businesses can not possibly come close to matching a fabrication company but they should be able to achieve a 3 sigma state. Unfortunately, many service firms are in effect 1 sigma enterprises: that is, they have a level of proficiency with an error rate that is, basically, equivalent to two out of every three things they do are wrong (actually, it is 2 in 2.899 but at that point who cares, it’s pathetic.)
Text fits
Save
Cancel