DFSS statistical tools are the centerpiece of the broader DFSS package. Although it is critical that executives and individual team members get on board with the DFSS approach to product development, at its heart, DFSS relies on solid statistical analysis. Consequently, it is critical to obtain up-to-date software and basic statistical understanding before getting started.

Six Sigma engineering approaches emphasize the goal of a perfect, defect-free product. One way to work toward this is to target employee practices and to emphasize efficiency in the workplace. Yet, even this approach may prove too broad unless feedback is strategically and effectively deployed. How do you know where to begin?

Using DFSS Statistical Tools
You let the statistics guide you. This is why DFSS statistical tools represent the core of the program. The statistical models can be used to pinpoint where exactly problems lie. You can then make an informed decision about how best to address the problem. This may begin with employee procedures or back at the drawing board where the product was first conceived.

You could probably use statistical packages such as SPSS or SAS to do the types of analyses that you run with DFSS statistical software. However, it is considerably easier when the software is tailored specifically for your particular needs. Once you have the software in hand, all that is really left is learning to interpret the output, a task that is often best left to a trained professional.