What level of defects is considered acceptable under Six Sigma methodology?

Under Six Sigma methodology, an acceptable level of defects is defined as 3.4 defects per million opportunities. This level of performance translates to a process that operates at a high standard of quality, aiming to reduce variation and enhance consistency. The essence of Six Sigma is to minimize defects and improve processes to a point where the likelihood of error is extremely low.

This stringent standard reflects the commitment to quality across operations, ensuring that products and services meet or exceed customer expectations with minimal failure rates. Achieving this level allows organizations to reduce costs associated with defects, increase customer satisfaction, and ultimately drive profitability.

In contrast, the other mentioned options represent much higher defect levels, which do not align with the Six Sigma objective of near-perfection in process quality. Each of these options indicates a level of defects that would be deemed unsatisfactory and would suggest the need for process improvement.