What is a control plan in Six Sigma?

A control plan in Six Sigma serves as a crucial document that outlines the specific actions necessary to maintain the stability and capability of a process. This includes establishing the monitoring methods, defining the quality standards, and detailing the responsibilities of personnel involved in the process. By specifying these elements, a control plan ensures that a process remains within desired limits and continues to meet customer requirements over time. It provides a structured approach to mitigate variations that may lead to defects or inefficiencies, thus supporting ongoing process improvement and operational excellence.

In contrast, while a list of goals for Six Sigma projects is important for guiding overall efforts, it does not address the specific actions required to maintain process performance. Similarly, controlling employee performance is not the primary focus of a control plan, which is more concerned with process stability. Finally, while marketing strategies are essential for promoting Six Sigma initiatives, they are unrelated to the operational focus of a control plan. Hence, the emphasis of a control plan on maintaining process control directly correlates with the overall aim of Six Sigma, which is to reduce variation and enhance quality.