In the business world, especially in manufacturing or quality management, the term Six Sigma usually refers to a set of tools and methodologies developed by Motorola to improve processes by eliminating defects. So why should the HR professional care what Six Sigma is or how it can be applied in the HR function? According to the specialists at Orion Partners, there are ten key reasons: to create excellence in process delivery; to reduce defects; to increase efficiency; to create a quality focused mindset; to benefit from best practice; to bring clarity to the processes of HR; to use a structured scientific approach; to speak the same language and improve communication; to gain control over your processes; and to strengthen your business case. Mircea Albeanu and Ian Hunter explain some of the basic concepts to show how applying Six Sigma tools and methodologies can be used to manage the practical challenges of improving HR operations to meet your organization''s expectations at a lower c