Lean Six Sigma

About: Lean Six Sigma is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1919 publications have been published within this topic receiving 29142 citations.

Lean Six Sigma in Health Care: Improving Utilization and Reducing Waste.

Abstract: Healthcare costs have been increasing worldwide mainly due to over utilization of resources. The savings potentially achievable from systematic, comprehensive, and cooperative reduction in waste are far higher than from more direct and blunter cuts in care and coverage. At King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center inappropriate and over utilization of the glucose test strips used for whole blood glucose determination using glucometers was observed. The hospital implemented a project to improve its utilization. Using the Six Sigma DMAIC approach (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control), an efficient practice was put in place including updating the related internal policies and procedures and the proper implementation of an effective users' training and competency check off program. That resulted in decreasing the unnecessary Quality Control (QC) runs from 13% to 4%, decreasing the failed QC runs from 14% to 7%, lowering the QC to patient testing ratio from 24/76 to 19/81.

Bridging theory and practice with Lean Six Sigma capstone design projects

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the challenges academics face today in developing a knowledge-based economy. In response to these challenges, the authors developed a collaborative approach to enhancing the learning experience for engineering management (or industrial engineering) capstone design courses. The core of this approach is the problem-based learning through the execution of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) projects implemented via university–industry partnerships. The ultimate goal of this approach is to facilitate the integration and application of theoretical knowledge while promoting the development of professional skills in undergraduate students as demanded by business organizations.,The framework is firmly grounded in theory and methods from project management and quality management, and LSS literature and was tested in an engineering and management capstone design course at the author’s university. The case study presented here offers a detailed analysis of the design and implementation of the proposed framework. The authors also present the results of a survey conducted to assess the extent to which the proposed approach contributes to bridging the gap between theory and practice.,Results from the pilot implementation and survey results revealed that students who took the enhanced LSS capstone course felt that their projects helped them gain a better understanding on how to apply the theory to practical situations while preparing them to approach and solve problems in real-world settings confidentially. The authors also found that the LSS green belt certification helped recent graduates to transition to the workforce more easily, gain more credibility among coworkers and supervisors and make contributions quicker than other new hires, get the job they wanted faster and overall advance in their careers.,The framework is a composition of best practices used in a variety of universities and industries. While the majority of the LSS university-based programs are typically offered at the graduate level and with limited (support for) project executions, the framework proposed here provides the infrastructure for solid company staff-student team collaborations on projects executed from inception to implementation.

Using LSS to improve the efficiency and quality of a refund process in a logistics center

Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to demonstrate a service quality improvement project implemented by the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology to achieve dramatic improvements with respect to service quality and speed in the refund process of the logistics center in Amway Company, Taiwan It describes in detail how the LSS methodology was applied and how various qualitative and quantitative tools and techniques within the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) logic roadmap have been employed Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts the case study methodology to illustrate how to use LSS approach to increase the efficiency of refund process Findings – The DMAIC scheme with logical analysis, qualitative tools and statistical verification, were employed to identify the key process input variables (KPIVs) that affect the key process output variables (KPOVs) in the refund process The project team also successfully eliminated non-valued-added (NVA) activities and redesigned the refund process The

Improving computer manufacturing management through Lean Six Sigma and PHM

Abstract: Computer manufacturers have been applying Six Sigma for continuous quality improvement and Lean Manufacturing for reducing process waste in order to maximally meet customer requirements. However, top computer manufacturers are now realizing the design and production with advanced capability for early failure detection, fault diagnostic and prediction will significantly improve product life cycle performance and increase competitive advantages. In this paper, prognostic health management is proposed as a “predictive” management strategy centered by technology approach. Through integration with Lean Six Sigma, a raised computer manufacturing management performance can be achieved.