A Tribute to Bob Galvin (Motorola CEO), Dorian Shainin (Red X), Joe Juran (Pareto) and Keki Bhote (Red X Champion)
‘In the beginning was the Need and the need had no name. Because the Need had no name, the people were ignorant of it … Then from the depths of the Communications Sector was born Six Sigma; The need finally had a name – Six Sigma. (Excerpts from a Six Sigma skit and paper written by Keki Bhote, senior corporate consultant on quality and productivity, for Motorola, presented at a Six Sigma Rally.)
Bob Galvin set a ten-fold improvement in quality in 5 years initiated in 1981 and completed in1986.
Early in 1987, Bob Galvin formulated a new, visionary goal in a memo to all Motorola employees. By 1991 improve product quality from the baseline of 1981 That is 100 times from the baseline year of 1981.
The Evolution of Quality Training at Motorola
1981: Problem Solving and Goal Setting
1982 Juran: Quality Management; Dorian Shainin: Design of Experiments
1983: Shainin: Advanced Diagnostic Tools
World Class Quality – First Edition
Author: Keki Bhote
Forward by Dorian Shainin
‘… Motorola began using the Shainin system in 1980. Keki Bhote was head of quality for Motorola’s Automotive and Industrial Electronics Division. Soon, Keki and I were bound for other Motorola plants (divisions) where I taught more classes. Keki was a real champion of for the Shainin techniques at Motorola.
The first and second editions of both books define Dorian Shainin’s Red X Tools.
World Class Quality – Second Edition
Forward: Bob Galvin – Motorola CEO
‘Even quality professionals are not aware of most of these tools. ’He (Keki/Dorian) developed and practiced these techniques in the crucible of Motorola’s drive for a 10:1, 100:1, and 1000:1 quality improvement.’
Acknowledgements
… My (Keki) revered “guru” has been Dorian Shainin. The foremost problem-solver in industrial quality. You would think credibility would be established when the CEO, the head of Corporate Quality endorse Shainin Red X tools people would stand up to all others.
Not so …
I can’t find anyone crediting Dorian and Keki. This is why I write.
Motorola owned the 6-Sigma trademark they released to the public. I feel this was a terrible mistake. Many 6-Sigma consultants were free to define Six Sigma any way they wanted to and created a big mess. There were no standardized certification requirements. varied from taking a test, to using one or two tools, to completing one or more projects.
The Shainin Red X process is consistent. We used IP to protect the quality of the brand.
Delphi Automotive was the largest component supplier in the world with 171 plants. We integrated Robust Engineering, Red X and Six Sigma. Dave Krausch, Director of Quality, measured projects completed, dollars saved and number of certifications. There were over 2000 certifications.
John Katona worked for Dave and drove the initiative. My book ‘Call us Gifted’ is dedicated to John.
Tim Nelson 07/15/2025