Representative image / Canva

The Greek symbol σ refers to standard deviation, the typical distance a data point is away from the average of all data points. Naturally, the smaller the standard deviation, the closer the data points are to the average. Six sigma is a specific performance measure equating to 3.45 defects per million opportunities.

Companies strive to achieve this level of performance. Mumbai’s Dabbawallas and the Kumbh Mela are renowned for exceeding this level of performance.

Six sigma is a data-driven statistical methodology for minimizing defect levels in all processes and transactions. When defects are minimized, customer satisfaction skyrockets and profits are maximized. It was developed at Motorola in the late seventies for which they received the inaugural Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from President Reagan in 1988.

According to American Society for Quality (ASQ) some 80 percent of Fortune 100 companies and 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies have six sigma programs in place to some extent. Government of India has embraced six sigma in electronics parts manufacturing. As good as six sigma is, there is an issue of loss of creativity associated with six sigma programs.

Also Read: Government of India embraces Six sigma

In 2007 Brian Hindo published the article in Business week, “At 3M, A Struggle Between Efficiency And Creativity”, which he highlighted the company’s struggle for efficiency and creativity. 3M reportedly noticed a significant enough drop in the creativity of its scientists after the company fully embraced six sigma that it quit mandating six sigma in its R&D Division. The article noted that “to get the creative juices flowing, the CEO was opening the money spigot— hiking spending on R&D, acquisitions and capital expenditures.”

The elephant in the room is something else.

We have unraveled the linkages between efficiency versus creativity which will allow companies to nurture creativity while not sacrificing efficiency. To appreciate the linkages, it is necessary to understand (1) when and how exemplary performance becomes possible, and (2) how discoveries come about and how they can be accentuated.

The late Dr. Mikel Harry, co-creator of six sigma at Motorola, was fully on board with these discoveries.

1. When does exemplary performance occur

Minimum variance (variance is the square of standard deviation) is the theoretical upper limit to achievable performance in all processes and transactions. In this state, processes are influenced only by unknown and uncontrollable causes. The best possible performance occurs when the processes are designed well and operated in the best possible manner. The problem is that in the absence of an adequate level of internal/emotional performance, the best possible performance cannot be achieved even with the best strategies including six sigma in place. Boost internal/emotional excellence and performance will zoom.

The pursuit of higher levels of internal/emotional excellence is a well-posed scientific problem since emotions can be measured and the process to enhance internal/emotional excellence is meditation, or more generally yoga, known for thousands of years. And since emotions can be measured, performance enhancements can be audited.

2. How Discoveries come about and how they can be accentuated

When a seeker sits down to enhance his/her focus of attention, as in contemplation, Type I discoveries can come. Type I discoveries amount to connecting the dots in the ocean of existing knowledge.

As the seeker further enhances his/her focus of attention with meditation, Type II discoveries can come. Type II discoveries cannot come from existing knowledge. In Sanskrit, Type II discoveries go by the name, “Shruti”, meaning revealed. Science is not the appropriate domain of knowledge to decipher these discoveries although all discoveries must be validated/corroborated with data/evidence.

There are many examples of Type II discoveries.  Vedas are an excellent example from the ancient past. There was no prior knowledge in the database of humanity for the seers to draw from for these discoveries.

Some of the works of mathematician, S. Ramanujan, FRS, amount to Type II discoveries. Ramanujan would write down mathematical theorems and their proofs without knowing the steps in between.

Six sigma expertise is indicated by several certifications: (1) Six Sigma Greenbelt – professionals who execute six sigma projects, (2) Six Sigma Blackbelt – Six sigma project leaders, (3) Six Sigma Master Blackbelt – Teachers of six sigma, and (4) Six Sigma Champions – Company officials who lead the six sigma initiative in an organization.

The holistic six sigma raises six sigma expertise a notch by additionally requiring that the practitioner has internalized the scientific basis and practices of internal/emotional excellence and their link to exemplary performance.

With holistic six sigma, maybe you will make your own Type II discoveries.

So, how to achieve exemplary performance while not sacrificing creativity and innovativeness? Continue to use six sigma to achieve exemplary performance but at the same time, adopt mindfulness and meditation practices to nurture creativity and innovativeness. We refer to this as “holistic six sigma” approach.

Holistic six sigma training must be included in all engineering and management curricula.