As I said in my premier Heretic column, “Dogma and Definition,” I’m interested in examining our assumptions and premises about Six Sigma so we can discard the dross and refine the potential benefits in implementing it.

To that end, I have decided to co-opt an omnipresent element of pop culture. No, not “reality” TV (though a Six Sigma reality show strikes me as very funny—you heard it here first).

And so I humbly present to you the Top Ten Stupid Six Sigma Tricks, beginning with no. 10: Conflating systems, strategies and tools.

First off, the word “stupid” here isn’t intended to insult anyone, just to get your attention and make you want to forward this article to all your buddies. I could have called it the “Top 10 Ill-Advised Six Sigma Activities,” but that just doesn’t trip off the tongue, nor does it capitalize on the popularity of certain other cultural memes. Besides, I’m obviously not talking about you, so lighten up. It’s all those other people about whom I am speaking.

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