Lean, quality improvement & root cause · Specialist
Defects per million opportunities
Also called: DPMO
ELI5
A Six Sigma measure of defects relative to one million opportunities.
Used in conversation
“Keep defects per million opportunities on the dashboard, but show the definition and reporting period beside it.”
Pitch context
You will see “Defects per million opportunities” in operating plans, procurement packs, supplier reviews and supply-chain reports when the discussion reaches lean, quality improvement & root cause.
Why it matters: In lean, quality improvement & root cause, the definition can change ownership, capacity, process, cost or safety decisions.
Sources & evidence · 3
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Productivity programmeDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Acquisition.gov — Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 15 — Contracting by NegotiationSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- UK Government — Groceries Supply Code of PracticeSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16