“Six sigma” techniques improve the quality of e‐learning

Abstract

TATA Interactive Systems (TIS), which has one of the world’s largest teams for the design and development of custom‐built e‐learning solutions, is committed to achieving the most exacting quality standards. Towards the end of last year, TIS became the first company providing custom‐built e‐learning solutions to be assessed at level 5 on the capability maturity model (CMM) scale. The CMM is the most rigorous quality standard world‐wide and encompasses leading companies such as Boeing, Raytheon, IBM, NASA and Motorola. Its prestige and value – well‐known within the IT world – are beginning to be recognised within the e‐learning world too. One key component in TIS’s drive for consistent high quality is its application of “six sigma” techniques to its development and production processes. This is explored in the article, first by describing an “outside‐in” approach, then key concepts, project stages, changing business processes, a three‐step cycle and criteria or secrets for project success.

Six Sigma: A Literature Review

“…Many scholars appear to find it difficult to agree on the concept. Often, similar established terms -such as total quality management and quality assurance -are used interchangeably for this important concept [41,44,55,56,59,60]. Some scholars and professionals, in academic and industrial communities, seem not to appreciate that Six Sigma is more often used by organizations that are on a journey of achieving and sustaining significant financial savings to the bottom line.…”

Quality Improvement Methodologies – PDCA Cycle and Six Sigma in E-learning System

“…Six Sigma, as shown in figure 2 [8] is a profoundly restrained process that helps associations to concentrate on creating and conveying close flawless items and services. The word "Sigma" is a factual term that measures how far a given procedure veers off from "perfection."…”

“…There are three key components to achieving "quality": customer, processes, and workers. Client characterizes quality, and expect-in addition to other things -execution, reliability, competitive costs, on-time delivery, service, clear and rectify exchange processing [8].Six sigma can be classified in light of benefits of the business and knowledge of the solution/improvement [4].…”

“…A procedure must deliver close to 3.4 deformities for each million opportunities, to accomplish Six Sigma quality". An "opportunity" characterizes as any shot for "non-conformance "that is, not meeting the required details [8].…”

“…The phases in Six Sigma [8]: 1. The "define "phase: characterizing venture objectives and limits and distinguishing issues that should be routed to accomplish the higher "sigma level".…”