Applying Six Sigma in Higher Education Quality Improvement

Quality in higher education became an important issue due to ever increasing demand by stakeholders and competitive environment. Although six sigma has been successfully used in product and service improvement in the business environment, the concept has not been adapted in higher education. To improve understanding of how six sigma can be used for higher education process improvement toward achievement of quality, a number of models are presented. Six sigma principles such as process improvement, reducing waste and continuous improvement aligns closely with the mission of higher education institutions and accreditation agencies. Using six sigma tools such as statistical process control, lean manufacturing, failure mode and effects analysis can help in the development of sustainable higher quality educational process. A process map with SIPOC (supplier, input, process, output and control), cause and effect analysis, FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) for higher education was developed and presented. These tools can be used by higher education institutions to better understand the higher education process and how it can be improved to meet the desired quality goals.