Six Sigma was implemented in the library to improve processes and satisfy user needs. Key results included reducing the time to complete tasks, eliminating defects, and increasing user visits and book checkouts. The Six Sigma approach helped library staff work more efficiently, completing one project in 20 days with no errors compared to 30 days previously with 25% errors. This increased the quality of library services and the sigma level from 2 to 6, indicating a significant improvement in meeting user expectations.

1. * Vrushali Dandawate, Librarian,
AISSMS College of Engineering,
Kenedy Rd, Pune-411001, Maharashtra
vrushalibasarkar@gmail.com

2. 
A performance goal, representing 3.4 defects for
every million opportunities to make one.

A series of tools and methods used to improve or
design products, processes, and/or services.

A statistical measure indicating the number of
standard deviations within customer expectations.

A disciplined, fact-based approach to managing a
business and its processes.

A means to promote greater awareness of
customer needs, performance measurement, and
business improvement.

3. 

Sigma is the Greek letter representing the
standard deviation of a population of data.
Sigma is a measure
of variation
(the data spread)
σ
μ

4. Origin of Six Sigma
Motorola
the company that invented Six Sigma
• The term “Six Sigma” was coined by Bill Smith, an engineer with Motorola
• Late 1970s - Motorola started experimenting with problem solving through
statistical analysis
• 1987 - Motorola officially launched it’s Six Sigma program

5. The Growth of Six Sigma
GE
the company that perfected Six Sigma
• Jack Welch launched Six Sigma at GE in Jan,1996
• 1998/99 - Green Belt exam certification became the criteria for management
promotions
• 2002/03 - Green Belt certification became the criteria for promotion to
management roles

6. What it means to be @ Six Sigma
Is 99% (3.8s) good enough?
99.99966% Good – At 6s
20,000 lost mails per hour
7 lost mails per hour
Unsafe drinking water almost 15
minutes each day
One minute of unsafe drinking
water every seven months
5,000 incorrect surgical
operations per week
1.7 incorrect surgical operations
per week
2 short or long landings at most
major airports daily
One short or long landing at
major airports every five years
200,000 wrong drug
prescriptions each year
68 wrong drug prescriptions each
year

7. Six Sigma
A scientific and practical method to achieve improvements in a
company
Scientific:
• Structured approach.
• Assuming quantitative data.
”Show me
the money”
Practical:
• Emphasis on financial result.
• Start with the voice of the customer.
“Show me
the data”

8. 




D- efine. Define the problem, the requests or
comments of the customer, and the goals of the
project.
M-easure. Measure the key factors of the preset
process and collect significant data.
A-nalyze. Analyze the collected data to validate
the cause-and-effect relations
I-mprove. Improve the present process based on
the analysis of the data using strategies
C-ontrol. Control the future process to make
sure that deviations from the target are
immediately corrected before they can even
cause defects.

10. Alternative interpretation
Prioritise (D)
Hold
gains (C)
Measure (M
Improve (I)
Interpret
(D/M/A)
Problem (D/M/A)
solve

11. Sigma
1
2
3
4
5
6
% Good % Bad
DPMO
30.9%
69.1%
691,462
69.1%
30.9%
308,538
93.3%
6.7%
66,807
99.38%
0.62%
6,210
99.977%
0.023%
233
99.9997% 0.00034%
3.4

12. 1 Six sigma helps to archive long terms goals of
Library
2 It help to reduce work load of library employee
3 It helps to satisfy user needs
4 It help to develop the quality of library services
5 It help to employee to work smarter

13. The Six Sigma Initiative
integrates these efforts
Knowledge
Management

14. Situation before the work
Sr. No.
Particulars
Details
1
Data Entry Target
2500 students data needs to be entered
2
Entry Words
35 words per entry
3
Duration
4
Manpower
The work to be completed within 30 working
days
One data entry operator with the speed of 30
words per minute.
5
Working Hours
8 hours in a day

15. Situation after the work
Sr.
No.
1
2
3
Particulars
Before
After
System used
Data entry target
Duration
4
5
6
7
8
Manpower
Speed
Findings
Defects
Result
Ordinary
2500
30 working days , 8 hours per
day
four operator
40 wpm
30 entries in a days
80 entries
Work done in 30 days with
75% accuracy
Six sigma
2500
30 working days,
4hours per day.
four operators
30 wpm
60 entries in a day
0 entries
Work done in 20 days
with 100% accuracy
9
Sigma level
2
6

16. Sr. No. Particulars
Details
1
Students daily visit to library 50-60 students in day
2
Staff daily visit to library
3
Use of e-journals by 60%
students and staff
Total no of books issued per 200 - 250
day
4
6-10 staff in a day
Table No -1
(Table No. 1 : Situation before survey )
(Source: User survey)

17. Sr. Particulars
No.
1
Syatem used
2
Students daily visit to library
Before
After
Ordinary
50-60 students in day
3
4
6-10 staff in a day
60%
Six sigma
200-250 students in a
day
20-30 staff in a day
90%
200 - 250
300-400
6
7
Staff daily visit to library
Use of e-journals by students
and staff
Total no of books issued per
day
Findings
Result
8
Sigma level
5
No of Users was less
No of Users Increased
Work done in 30 days with Work done in 20 days
75% accuracy
with 100% accuracy
2
6
Table no – 2
(Table No. 1 : Situation before survey )
(Source: User survey )

18. Six Sigma helps to improve the standard of
the library and helps to improve the skills and
ability of the library employees. It insists on
continues improvement and development of
the library as well as library staff members.
The ultimate goal of the library is to satisfy
its users. This can be achievable by the Six
Sigma. It helps library employees to have a
better management to evaluate the services
to library users