The aim of this paper is to introduce the reader to the important and probably the most widely recognized quality management standard in today’s business world. Six-sigma is viewed today as a necessity to competing effectively. Many of the successful companies have developed programs to enable them achieve six-sigma. Yet, many managers are still not clear on what six-sigma represents and how to go about achieving it. This paper is educational in that it traces the origins of six-sigma and educates readers on the values of six-sigma as well as the approaches world-class performers such as Motorola and General Electric have taken to improve operational excellence.