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DPMO and PPM Defects per million opportunity (defects is the key word) and PPM- Defective parts per million (defective is the key word) A process/product where a single unit of output has multiple opportunities for error/defect/failure(A) Vs a process/Product where a single unit of output has limited opportunities of error(B). for scenario A, DPMO is more suitable because it accounts for every defect that occurs in a unit, for eg. a data entry form(a unit of output) might have 50 fields to enter, each field could be considered as an opportunity for an operator to do mistake(defect) therefore accounting each defect becomes important. But why?? When we process millions of transactions, if we don’t track exactly where we are repeatedly going wrong within the 50 fields, it become extremely difficult to prioritize for us to work on it, Secondly, per example above, there is effort in entering every field accurately and so the DPMO measure brings out the actual score that determines the accuracy of work. On the other hand, PPM measure defectives, in the example mentioned above, lets say we using PPM, the operator has entered 49 fields correctly and entered 1 wrongly, in such case it is considered as a defective form. What about 49 right fields? that’s the problem, in PPM its not accounted, it just says that the form is defective Scenarios A : 100 units with 50 fields per form and we have say 50 defects(imagine there is 1 defect in each chart) DPMO = (50/(100X50))X1000000=10000 99% accurate Scenario B: 100 units with 50 fields per form and we have 50 Defectives (imagine there is 1 defect in each chart) PPM = 50/100*1000000=500000 50% accurate Therefore, I feel that DPMO over PPM will best suit where there are multiple opportunities to error in a unit of output

No. Not at all. Completing DMAIC Or DMADV project undoubtedly will give great confidence for any professional in this field. The "Hands on experience to say". Such an experience is definitely required and will be an added advantage while hiring improvement manager in any organisation. However, question here is "Is it essential or mandatory that the candidate should have completed the DMAIC Or DMADV project?" then the clear answer is NO. Role of Lean Six Sigma Black Belt professional as an improvement manager demands that the candidate should be able to identify the right kind of projects to begin with and then mentor both function specific and cross functional projects involving varying level of skills - Leadership, communication, interpersonal (Soft skills) and also rock solid knowledge base - not only on DMAIC or DMADV but also on several other aspects like maturity and ability to understand the business in totality - "vantage" which is built over years of experience. Completion of one or two Six sigma projects may not qualify or ensure that the candidate is fit for the role of improvement manager. However, it could be an added advantage to some deserving candidates when assessed for the role.