Companies are realizing that they can achieve dramatic results by applying Lean Six Sigma methods to improve their performance. The term Six Sigma refers to a statistically derived performance target of operating with only 3.4 defects for every million opportunities.

Lean Six Sigma also requires that companies build their businesses around an intimate understanding of customer requirements, bringing as much discipline and focus to this external activity as they do to internal process improvement efforts.

The payoffs from these activities can be huge, such as producing defect-free products within planned frames, turning every qualified lead into booked business from the sales department and producing error-free invoices every time from the billing department.