Design for Six Sigma

Abstract: Part I: An Executive Overview of Six Sigma. Chapter 1: A Powerful Strategy for Sustained Success. Chapter 2: Key Concepts of the Six Sigma System. Chapter 3: Why Is Six Sigma Succeeding Where Total Quality "Failed"? Chapter 4: Applying Six Sigma to Service and Manufacturing. Chapter 5: The Six Sigma Roadmap. Part II: Gearing Up and Adapting Six Sigma to Your Organization. Chapter 6: Is Six Sigma Right for Us Now? Chapter 7: How and Where Should We Start Our Efforts? Chapter 8: The Politics of Six Sigma: Preparing Leaders to Launch and Guide the Effort. Chapter 9: Preparing Black Belts and Other Key Roles. Chapter 10: Training the Organization for Six Sigma. Part III: Implementing Six Sigma: The Roadmap and Tools. Chapter 12: Identifying Core Processes and Key Customers (Roadmap Step 1). Chapter 13: Defining Customer Requirements (Roadmap Step 2). Chapter 14: Measuring Current Performance (Roadmap Step 3). Chapter 15: Six Sigma Process Improvement (Roadmap Step 4). Chapter 16: Six Sigma Process Improvement (Roadmap Step 4A). Chapter 17: Expanding & Integrating the Six Sigma System (Roadmap Step 5). Chapter 18: Advanced Six Sigma Tools: An Overview. Conclusion: Twelve Keys to Success.

Abstract: Understanding the key features, obstacles, and shortcomings of the six sigma method allows organizations to better support their strategic directions, and increasing needs for coaching, mentoring, and training. It also provides opportunities to better implement six sigma projects. This paper examines the evolution, benefits, and challenges of six sigma practices and identifies the key factors influencing successful six sigma project implementations. It integrates the lessons learned from successful six sigma projects and considers further improvements to the six sigma approach. Effective six sigma principles and practices will succeed by refining the organizational culture continuously. Cultural changes require time and commitment before they are strongly implanted into the organization.

Abstract: Six Sigma is a phenomenon that is gaining wide acceptance in industry, but lacks a theoretical underpinning and a basis for research other than “best practice” studies. Rigorous academic research of Six Sigma requires the formulation and identification of useful theories related to the phenomenon. Accordingly, this paper develops an understanding of the Six Sigma phenomena from a goal theoretic perspective. After reviewing the goal theory literature, these concepts, when applied to Six Sigma, suggest some propositions for future research. This paper can help serve as a foundation for developing scientific knowledge about Six Sigma.

Abstract: Purpose - The authors analyze the principles and results of lean production and compare the lean production philosophy with the six sigma quality process and the principles of total quality management (TQM). At the end of the paper, it is discussed how to build the necessary company culture for having success with these principles/management philosophies. Design/methodology/approach - Literature search and comparative analysis complemented with a Danish case on wastage in a core process. Findings - It is shown that the lean production philosophy and the six sigma steps are essentially the same and both have developed from the same root - the Japanese TQM practices. The improvement process from six sigma, the DMAIC process, can be regarded as a short version of the Quality Story, which was developed in Japan in the 1960s as a standard for QC-circle presentations. We conclude that the roadmaps of lean production and six sigma quality are examples of new alternative TQM roadmaps. We also conclude that especially with lean production and six sigma quality there seems to be too much focus on training people intools and techniques and at the same time too little focus on understanding the human factor, i.e. how to build the right company culture. Originality/value - The detailed and historical analysis of six sigma quality, lean production and TQM combined with a focus on the human factor and the needed corporate culture. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Abstract: Six Sigma is a business strategy and a systematic methodology, use of which leads to breakthrough in profitability through quantum gains in product/service quality, customer satisfaction and productivity. The concept of implementing Six Sigma processes was pioneered at Motorola in the 1980s and the objective was to reduce the number of defects to as low as 3.4 parts per million opportunities. For the effective implementation of Six Sigma projects in organisations, one must understand the critical success factors that will make the application successful. This paper presents the key ingredients, which are essential for Six Sigma implementation. These ingredients are generated from a pilot survey conducted in the UK manufacturing and service organisations.