Six Sigma and its application in Information Technology

An article published by Silicon India Magazine examines the reasons for the failure of some software projects even in today’s world, the importance of quality service for a company, and the solutions offered by Six Sigma for Software. An important factor that gives a company an edge over its competitors is lower costs. This can be managed with the implementation of solutions such as Six Sigma, which is primarily aimed at financial results. Six Sigma includes methodologies which lead to effective management of people and resources, including customer loyalty.

Six Sigma for Software contains a set of tools that aids productive development, thus generating quality software products. Six Sigma for Software is different from other tools such as CMM/CMMI. However, at a certain point in the development of an organization, Six Sigma and CMM, PSP/TSP become complimentary. For example, research shows that Six Sigma for Software is cost-effective only after an organization reaches CMM levels of 4/5. Silicon India Magazine reports:

Six Sigma started from the Operations Excellence which values discipline in manufacturing with emphasis on efficient transactions, management of people, dedication to measurement systems, etc. But it became obvious that business success was more than the absence of negatives such as defects, delays or cost overruns. It then began to encompass positives like customer loyalty and delighters. From Operational Excellence, Six Sigma moved towards Customer Intimacy and Product Leadership value disciplines.