By Dr. Mark Andrews, SmartUQ Technology Steward for iSixSigma
...Six Sigma: Six Sigma is a quantitative, mathematical approach for making cultural changes to an organization. It is a data-driven approach that uses statistical models and probability to reduce process variations. Six Sigma primarily employs statistical methods like general linear regression models, statistical tests, probability distributions, DOEs and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The value of reducing process variations is in reducing the risk of delivering poor quality products – making customers pleased with their choice of purchase.
UQ: Conversely, UQ is a multi-disciplinary field that brings together modern statistics, applied mathematics and computer science methods to quantify uncertainties in engineering analytics, where computer simulations are often the analytical method of choice. UQ is a probabilistic approach that can be described as a deterministic approach that is systematically repeated. It uses the inputs and responses from the multiple simulation runs to build a predictive statistical model. Once validated, the statistical model or emulator is then used in place of the original simulation as the analytical workhorse since it runs in a fraction of the time needed for the original simulation. The objective of UQ’s probabilistic approach is to determine how likely are certain outcomes if some aspects of the complex system are not exactly known. Read more here.
