What is the significance of establishing a baseline in Six Sigma?

Establishing a baseline in Six Sigma is crucial because it provides a reference point against which future performance can be measured. This baseline is the initial measurement of a process's current state, which allows for subsequent evaluations of how changes or improvements affect that process over time. By comparing future data to this baseline, teams can accurately gauge the effectiveness of implemented improvements, thereby determining if their efforts are leading to desired outcomes.

Without a baseline, it becomes challenging to assess if a change has resulted in any actual improvements or if fluctuations in performance are simply due to random variation. Therefore, establishing a baseline is essential for validating the success of Six Sigma initiatives and for ensuring that performance gains are sustainable over the long term.