Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement

2015 ◽  
pp. 31-33
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Operational Excellence

scholarly journals The Lean Six Sigma Algorithm—A Pathway for Decreasing the Continuous Improvement Projects Failure Rate

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Karam Al-Akel ◽  
Liviu-Onoriu Marian
Keyword(s):  
Failure Rate ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Manufacturing Processes ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Project Failures ◽  
Specific Order ◽  
Selection Of

Even if Lean and Six Sigma tools are available for large audiences, many of the continuous improvement projects fail due to the lack of a pathway that ensures appropriate results in a timely manner. We would like to address this universal issue by generating, testing and validating an algorithm that improves manufacturing processes in a controlled manner. With a selection of the most valuable set of tools and concepts implemented in a specific order, a guideline for successful project implementation is proposed. Decreasing the overall number of continuous improvement project failures is the main scope of our algorithm and suggested methodology.

The application of Lean Six Sigma and supply chain resilience in maritime industry during the era of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yugowati Praharsi ◽  
Mohammad Abu Jami’in ◽  
Gaguk Suhardjito ◽  
Hui Ming Wee
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Maritime Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Resilience ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
Logistics Services

Purpose This study aims to apply a Lean Six Sigma framework to support continuous improvement in the maritime industry (shipbuilding, logistics services and shipping companies) during COVID-19 pandemics. By applying the concepts of Lean Six Sigma and supply chain resilience, the most suitable continuous improvement method for the maritime industry is developed to maintain a resilient supply chain during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach A specific shipbuilding, logistics services and shipping company in Indonesia is chosen as the research object. The Lean Six Sigma framework reveals the wastes through the supply chain resilience concept, and implements internal business processes to maintain optimal system performance. Findings The paper identifies important implementation aspects in applying Lean Six Sigma to shipbuilding, logistics services and shipping. The DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) approach is applied to achieve supply chain resilience. Resilient measures are generated for the case companies to maximize performance during the pandemics. Practical implications This paper provides a new insight for integrating Lean Six Sigma and resilience strategies in the maritime industry during COVID-19 disruptions. The authors provide some insights to sustain the performance of the maritime industries under study. Originality/value This study is part of the first research in the maritime industry that focuses on continuous improvement during COVID-19 using Lean Six Sigma and supply chain resilience.

Business survival and market performance through Lean Six Sigma in the chemical manufacturing industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 566-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Muganyi ◽  
Ignatio Madanhire ◽  
Charles Mbohwa
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Market Performance ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Chemical Product ◽  
Business Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chemical Manufacturing ◽  
Product Manufacturing

Purpose The research paper aims to unveil the practical use of Lean Six Sigma and its effectiveness as a business survival strategic tool by a chemical product realization concern, as well as to establish the market and business performance impacts on the manufacturing entity. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was pursued with a multi-national chemical manufacturing entity in South Africa. A comprehensive literature research was undertaken to establish the contemporary tools used for implementing Lean Six Sigma, and the classification and flow of tools and steps undertaken to ensure the successful and effective application of Lean Six Sigma in a manufacturing organization and the benefits derived. The critical success factors and reasons of ineffective use of tools are reviewed. To ensure that a comprehensive research was conducted which is relevant to the body of knowledge in engineering, recent articles on the application of Lean Six Sigma were selected and reviewed during the progress of the study to add impetus to the relevance of the findings. Findings The research findings were mainly based on the inferences obtained from a chemical product manufacturing concern in South Africa, to distinguish the efficacy and relevance of Lean Six Sigma as strategic business survival tool and imputing strategic resonance to corporate strategy. Research limitations/implications This research was limited to distinguishing Lean Six Sigma as a business survival strategic tool and an ultimate enhancer of market performance for a chemical product manufacturing entity. The implementation and evaluation of the Lean Six Sigma methodology as a business survival strategic and market performance enhancement option for the case study organization was entailed as the corollary of deductive resemblance to similar entities. Practical implications This study enables continuous improvement practitioners to evaluate the Lean and Six Sigma practices. The advantages posed by the simultaneous and optimized application of the two approaches versus individual application were assessed and verified to produce enhanced continuous improvement. This poses further challenges to scholars and academics to pursue further researches on the practicality of applying Lean Six Sigma as a strategic option. Originality/value The paper prompts the efficacy of well publicized methodologies and evaluates their implementation for strategic performance for manufacturing organizations. The practical application, constraints and resultant effects of deploying Lean Six Sigma were reviewed to give impetus to the methodology.

A directed content analysis of viewpoints on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan A. Rodgers ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Zhen He ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cudney ◽  
Chad Laux
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper, builds on previous studies that explored the research patterns over 15 years, is to consider the current status of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma. More specifically, this research addresses whether Lean and Six Sigma are stronger together and explores the reasons why Lean researchers and practitioners may be less likely to integrate Six Sigma in their work. Design/methodology/approach The research utilises a survey of 25 established and respected academics and practitioners from 16 countries. The questionnaire is analysed using a direct content approach and coded in NVivo. Findings The findings suggest that challenges may lie in the perception and understanding of statistics as well as short-term rather than long-term focus on improvement. The findings also suggest that academics and practitioners believe that Lean Six Sigma has developed over time and will continue to develop and improve as a methodology rather than being replaced with a new methodology. Research limitations/implications The survey has a sample size of 25, albeit all respondents are established and very experienced practitioners and academics. Practical implications For organisations that are introducing or refreshing their continuous improvement initiatives, this research identifies some of the challenges and provides the opportunity to address them to maximise the opportunities for success and sustainability. Originality/value The value of this paper is that it further addresses the debate over the integration of Lean and Six Sigma for many organisations which still employ Lean alone, but beyond this it explores how they will continue to develop and whether they are a permanent edition to the quality management landscape or a transition to something else.

scholarly journals Consideraciones al aplicar los principios de la Excelencia Operacional al innovar en el Diseño de Productos

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto A. Duran-Novoa ◽  
Jacobo Tijerina-Aguilera
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Operational Excellence ◽  
Buenas Prácticas

Nuestro artículo estudia como las metodologías orientadas hacia la calidad y mejora continua (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma, Operational excellence) pueden apoyar el desarrollo de la innovación sistemática, basándonos en la hipótesis que las herramientas y buenas prácticas de la calidad han alcanzado su madurez luego de desarrollarse desde los años 40, situación que no sucede aún con la innovación y sus principios. Para obtener tendencias generales, estudiamos primero la evolución de las publicaciones asociadas a los términos "calidad” e “innovación” desde 1990 a 2016, para luego enfocar el estudio hacia la compatibilidad entre los principios de excelencia operacional (ExOp) e innovación en el diseño de productos (IDP). Inicialmente pudimos observar que los estudios acerca de calidad se desarrollan a un ritmo que disminuye su tasa de crecimiento en los últimos años, apoyando la suposición de maduración. Esto no ocurre con los estudios acerca de innovación, los cuales mantienen una tasa de crecimiento sostenida, lo que hace razonable suponer que la investigación relacionada a innovación alcanzará y eventualmente sobrepasará en cantidad a la investigación relacionada a calidad. Si bien pudimos observar que la ExOp e IDP tienen objetivos generales compatibles, descubrimos que no es recomendable aplicar directamente los principios de la ExOp a la IDP, tanto por motivos empíricos como conceptuales. Dentro de los motivos conceptuales, destacan los conflictos generados por la orientación hacia la eficacia de la ExOp y la orientación hacia la disrupción de la IDP. Esto hace que la IDP promueva la toma de riesgos en búsqueda de anticiparse a los mercados, en circunstancias que la ExOp promueve practicar y propagar lo validado a través de la experiencia, buscando mejoras incrementales en los procesos. Para poder lidiar con las incompatibilidades entre ExOp e IDP, se comparan  principios fundamentales de ambos enfoques y se clasifican en 3 categorías: alta probabilidad de compatibilidad, alta probabilidad de incompatibilidad, y principios que requieren mayor investigación para ser aplicados. Basados en lo anterior, proponemos una lista de principios de ExOp recomendables para quienes se enfoquen en la IDP, de manera que puedan ser un apoyo para desarrollar un proceso robusto, evitando a la vez futuras incompatibilidades. Finalmente, posibles direcciones de investigación –tanto académicas como industriales- son sugeridas, buscando fortalecer la sincronización entre la  ExOp y la IDP. Palabras clave: Calidad, excelencia operacional, innovación, diseño.

scholarly journals Lean Six Sigma in Africa: Fad or real solution of competitiveness?

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Said El Mezouari ◽  
Zahira Bouaouda ◽  
Hicham Drissi
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Business Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Real Solution ◽  
Management Instrument ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Right

Companies tend increasingly to turn to the so-called continuous improvement in order to improve their performance and thus enhance their competitiveness approaches. In times of crisis, the use of these approaches becomes mandatory. In this context, the Lean Six Sigma is incontestably today a vehicle for business development as it allows performance improvement through various appropriate tools on one side, and incitement to contribution of different actors in the company, on the other side. In Africa, the Lean Six Sigma looks like an opportunity that seems to come at the right time in an environment that seems to need it. Is it then a management instrument emerging from a fad phenomena, or is it a real tool for performance improving for African companies, responding to a real need?

Environmental Performance as Key Performance Indicators in the Lean Six-Sigma Methodology

2012 ◽  
Vol 488-489 ◽  
pp. 1082-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pregiwati Pusporini ◽  
Kazem Abhary ◽  
Lee H.S. Luong
Keyword(s):  
Product Quality ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Key Performance Indicators ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Quality Cost ◽  
Six Sigma Methodology

Lean six-sigma methodology focuses on continuous improvement approach with an emphasis on improving the product quality and reducing waste. Recent studies of lean six-sigma methodology indicated that this methodology commonly focus on four areas of performance namely quality, cost time and service. In this paper, an environmental performance is proposed into lean six-sigma methodology. An environmental performance needs to be integrated into lean six-sigma as a new paradigm of lean six-sigma methodology to achieve overall competitiveness of product.

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