Using statistical quality control methods to shrink or eliminate unnecessary sources of variability is a great idea, and where it's been done well, it has revolutionized businesses.
But Six Sigma can conflict with innovation because it tries to eliminate different ways of doing things in favor of the "best" way. Innovation thrives on trying new approaches. So when Six Sigma starts to be used as a universal solution for every possible challenge, it stops being a useful tool and becomes a religion.
