INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE DESIGN FOR SIX SIGMA (DFSS) - Software Design for Six-Sigma: A Roadmap for Excellence - page 175

Cost Cost Cost Cost

Cost vs. Impact Cost vs. Impact Cost vs. Impact Cost vs. Impact

Potential is negative
(Impact < Cost)

Potential is negative
(Impact < Cost)

Potential is negative
(Impact < Cost)

Potential is negative
(Impact < Cost)

Potential is negative Potential is negative Potential is negative Potential is negative

Potential is positive Potential is positive Potential is positive Potential is positive Potential is positive

(Impact > Cost)

Potential is positive
(Impact > Cost)

Potential is positive
(Impact > Cost)

Potential is positive
(Impact > Cost)

(Impact < Cost) (Impact < Cost) (Impact < Cost) (Impact < Cost)

(Impact > Cost) (Impact > Cost) (Impact > Cost) (Impact > Cost)

Impact Impact Impact Impact

Time Time Time Time

Design Design Design Design Produce/Build Produce/Build Produce/Build Produce/Build Deliver Deliver Deliver Deliver Service Support Service Support Service Support Service Support

FIGURE 8.1 Effect of design stages on life cycle.

customer dissatisfaction, warranty, marketing promotions, and in many cases under
the scrutiny of the government (e.g., recall costs).

8.3 WHAT IS SOFTWARE DESIGN FOR SIX SIGMA?

Software DFSS is a structured, data-driven approach to design in all aspects of soft-
ware functions (e.g., human resources, marketing, sales, and IT) where deployment
is launched, to eliminate the defects induced by the design process and to improve
customer satisfaction, sales, and revenue. To deliver on these benefits, DFSS applies
design methods like software methods, axiomatic design, 5 creativity methods, and
statistical techniques to all levels of design decision making in every corner of the
business to identify and optimize the critical design factors (the X's) and validate all
design decisions in the use (or surrogate) environment of the end user.
DFSS is not an add-on but represents a cultural change within different functions
and organizations where deployment is launched. It provides the means to tackle
weak or new processes, driving customer and employee satisfaction. DFSS and Six
Sigma should be linked to the deploying company's annual objectives, vision, and
mission statements. It should not be viewed as another short-lived initiative. It is a
vital, permanent component to achieve leadership in design, customer satisfaction,
and cultural transformation. From marketing and sales, to development, operations,
and finance, each business function needs to be headed by a deployment leader
or a deployment champion. This local deployment team will be responsible for
delivering dramatic change thereby removing the number of customer issues and
internal problems and expediting growth. The deployment team can deliver on their
objective through Six Sigma operatives called Black Belts and Green Belts who
will be executing scoped projects that are in alignment with the objectives of the

5 A perspective design method that employs two design axioms: the independence axioms and the infor-
mation axiom. See Chapter 11 for more details.