Title: An innovative model of Six Sigma for SMEs: the T-DMAIC model

Authors: S.V. Deshmukh, R.R. Lakhe

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, B.D. College of Engineering, Sewagram, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. ' Shreyas Quality Management System, Abhyankar Nagar Road, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: The right implementation of Six Sigma concept has helped many industries to achieve phenomenal success in customer satisfaction and profits. However, certain perceptions, especially those of high cost or investments for Six Sigma implementation prevented its judicious use to derive benefit in many smaller industries, such as Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). The present paper reports findings of a study aimed at identifying the factors that need greater attention for successful implementation of Six Sigma in SMEs of India. The findings of the study showed that majority of surveyed SMEs (75%) did not posses ISO certificate. Besides, only 51% were ISI (Mark by Bureau of Indian Standards) certified, indicating lower importance to quality management practices. The study reveals that the training forms an important factor to achieve desired effect of Six Sigma implementation programme and hence the present DMAIC model needs to be enriched with T (training) making it T-DMAIC.

Keywords: six sigma implementation; customer satisfaction; SMEs; DMAIC; T-DMAIC; small and medium-sized enterprises; India; training.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2009.025169

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2009 Vol.5 No.2, pp.187 - 203

Published online: 14 May 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article