Product Description

The 1st edition of this guide sold over 15,000 copies since it's publication in 2004 and is now the pocket guide of choice for Six Sigma practitioners worldwide. This long awaited 2nd edition contains a range of new tools and techniques including Lean material and Improve tools. In addition, it has been updated for Minitab 15 (whilst still compatible with versions 13 and 14). Cutting through Six Sigma's strange terminology and consultancy speak, this guide delivers Six Sigma in a down to earth, logical and user friendly format.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42561 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• 240 pages

From the Publisher
A long awaited pocket guide to Six Sigma that provides practical advice on the Six Sigma tools alongside detailed instructions for the MINITAB software where applicable.
The Six Sigma Tool Finder software provides a highly logical overview of the DMAIC process, and the selection of appropriate Six Sigma tools.

From the Author
The Toolbox guide is targeted at the clear need that existed
for a down to earth 'pocket sized' guide to Six Sigma and Minitab. It's
aimed at anyone involved in Six Sigma from beginners through to Master
Black Belts and also provides an introduction to anyone new to Six Sigma.

From the Inside Flap
Interactive examples, with data files and templates available
online; Detailed Minitab instructions (versions 13, 14 & 15; Logical
routemaps through DMAIC; New Lean section; More tools and techniques

Customer Reviews

Essential for Black and Green Belts.
I originally had a copy of this book (naughty I know) but I found it so useful and invaluable that I had to buy a proper copy. I am a certified Black Belt and I am not exaggerating when I say that I refer to this book almost every day. I referred to it extensively for my very first project and it made me think about areas that I had not even covered in my training such as always doing a Voice of the Customer (VOC) and summarising sections with a Problem Definition Sheet (really kept me on track).

The book links in with Minitab very well and provides you with the correct route for commonly used tools which is very useful if you have not had formal Minitab training. If you ever go on Minitab training you will be amazed at how many people have this book open in front of them!

I work in a Service (Transactional) based industry (major mobile telecoms provider) and this book is perfect for transactional projects and point of view.

The authors website (listed in the book) is also excellent and links in with the book with data files, project charter template etc. You can also download a customised Minitab profile giving easy access to the most commonly used Minitab tools.

The book may seem expensive but I can assure you that it is worth every single penny! You will never regret buying this book.

Living with the Toolbox Guide for Six Sigma and Minitab
For a start, let me get an irritant out of the way. Most reference books that I have seen on the subject will give you a hernia if you try to carry them about! The author has done a good job here. Not only is A5 a great size for daily use, but the thoughtful use of plasticised covers will ensure a durable product.
Now to the content. Many Belts are confused post training. They come to Six Sigma poorly equipped to deal with complex processes in a structured and rigorous manner. The examples in the training all seem to work out so well and easily, but confusion is rampant in real life, as reality is seldom as well ordered as in the training domain. Therefore a Belt can really find value in this book, as it clearly charts a course through the improvement project, and aligns the tools and methods with the steps in question.
As a Master Black Belt, I use this book in all my training and coaching of Black Belts. It is also a standard reference hand out to candidate Black Belts.

Bravo...another blow to variation.

At last - a Six Sigma/MINITAB guide of real value!
Having completed Black Belt training, I came across this book and now wish I'd found it before my training! It's clear flow through DMAIC, with detailed instructions for using MINITAB where necessary (with screen shots) makes it an excellent companion for those that have been trained, and now need to DO something with the tools they've learnt.
The down to earth language and approach is also a breath of fresh air in the jargon laden Six Sigma world.
I originally had reservations on the price in relation to other "pocket" guides available, but this book contains a substantial amount of useful information, and having read it, I'd recommend it to anyone involved in Six Sigma as being worth every penny.