**Manpower, Machines, Measurements, Materials, Methods, and Mother Nature** Variation in processes can stem from any of the six “M”s: ![[Untitled.jpeg.jpeg]] Image from: [https://sixsigmastudyguide.com/six-ms-6ms-or-5ms-and-one-p-5m1p/](https://sixsigmastudyguide.com/six-ms-6ms-or-5ms-and-one-p-5m1p/) These are the sources of variation in all processes (manufacturing and anything else). Examples: # Manpower - if workers are untrained, or have inherent differences in their capabilities or preferences # Machine - Machines may degrade over time, and have imperfect tolerances even at their best - Different machines might run the same applications differently # Mother Nature - Weather affecting travel conditions - Acts of God ruining materials in work (e.g. the roof caves in due to snow) # Measurements - Metrics chosen do not correlate to process success - Measurement errors due to units or inherent uncertainty # Method - Variations in approach (e.g. waterfall vs agile, or drill press vs hand drill) # Materials - this load of bread went moldy before that one did, despite them having the same due date # More ## Source [6M's in Six Sigma (Six Ms or 5Ms and one P or 5M1P)](https://sixsigmastudyguide.com/six-ms-6ms-or-5ms-and-one-p-5m1p/) ## Related - [[Six Sigma]]