In Six Sigma, what does 'defect' refer to?

In Six Sigma, the term 'defect' specifically refers to a failure to meet customer specifications. This means that a defect occurs when a product or service does not fulfill the criteria that have been established by the customer, leading to a subpar outcome. In the context of quality improvement, identifying defects is crucial because the goal of Six Sigma is to reduce the number of defects to improve overall quality and efficiency.

Understanding defects as failures to meet customer specifications aligns with the overarching objective of Six Sigma: to minimize variation and ensure that the end product consistently satisfies customer requirements. This focus helps organizations maintain high standards of quality and reduce costs associated with rework or customer dissatisfaction.

The other options do not accurately capture the meaning of 'defect' in the Six Sigma context. They either describe aspects of production that do not relate to quality failures or set criteria outside the focus on failing to meet customer expectations.