Based on a statistical measure that equates to 3.4 or fewer errors or defects per million opportunitiesPioneered by Motorola in the mid-1980s and popularized by the success of General ElectricKey IdeaSix Sigma can be described as a business improvement approach that seeks to find and eliminate causes of defects and errors in manufacturing and service processes by focusing on outputs that are critical to customers and a clear financial return for the organization.