ISO 9000-2000 Clauses

ISO 9000-2000 is a set of quality management standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standards provide a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a quality management system (QMS). The ISO 9000-2000 standard consists of eight clauses:

Scope: This clause defines the scope of the standard and outlines the requirements for a QMS.

Normative references: This clause lists the other standards and regulations that are referenced in the ISO 9000-2000 standard.

Terms and definitions: This clause provides definitions for the key terms used in the standard.

Quality management system: This clause outlines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a QMS.

Management responsibility: This clause defines the responsibilities of top management in establishing and maintaining a QMS.

Resource management: This clause outlines the requirements for managing the resources needed to implement and maintain a QMS, including personnel, infrastructure, and work environment.

Product realization: This clause outlines the requirements for planning, designing, and producing products or services.

Measurement, analysis, and improvement: This clause outlines the requirements for monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and continually improving the effectiveness of the QMS.

Each of these clauses is further broken down into specific requirements, such as documenting procedures, conducting internal audits, and taking corrective and preventive actions. The ISO 9000-2000 standard provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring that an organization’s QMS is effective, efficient, and meets the needs of its customers.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a data-driven methodology for improving the quality of products and services in an organization. It was developed by Motorola in the 1980s and later adopted by other companies, such as General Electric, as a key component of their quality management systems.

The term “Six Sigma” refers to the goal of reducing defects in products or services to a rate of 3.4 per million opportunities. The methodology is based on a five-phase process called DMAIC:

Define: Define the problem, project goals, and customer requirements.

Measure: Collect data and measure the process performance.

Analyze: Analyze the data to identify the root causes of defects and process variations.

Improve: Improve the process by eliminating the root causes of defects and reducing process variations.

Control: Establish controls to ensure that the process remains improved and sustainable.

Six Sigma uses statistical tools and techniques to identify and eliminate the root causes of defects and reduce process variations. The methodology also emphasizes the importance of customer focus, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Six Sigma has been applied in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and service. It has been shown to improve process efficiency, reduce waste, increase customer satisfaction, and generate cost savings for organizations.