Strengthening Quality Performance Through Data and Defect Reduction Six Sigma offers MSMEs a structured way to reduce defects, improve consistency, and control operational waste. While world-class performance targets 3.4 defects per million opportunities, many MSMEs operate at a 2 to 3 sigma level with very high defect rates. Even improving to 4 sigma can reduce defects by nearly 90 percent and save 10 to 15 percent of revenue. Using the DMAIC approach helps MSMEs define specific problems, measure performance, and analyze