Title: Adoption of six-sigma concept in New Product Development: a literature survey and analysis

Authors: M. Natarajan, V. Senthil, S.R. Devadasan, N. Vijay Mohan, P.R. Shalij

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jayam College of Engineering and Technology, Dharmapuri – 636 813, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore – 641 014, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Production Engineering Department, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore – 641 004, Tamil Nadu, India. ' R&D Department, Lakshmi Machine Works Limited, Coimbatore – 641 020, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Government Engineering College, Trichur – 680009, Kerala, India

Abstract: During recent years, many researchers and practitioners are largely concentrating on New Product Development (NPD). Owing to the absence of data on past performance history, achieving quality and reliability in NPD process has been a challenge. This paper reports a literature survey conducted in this context to identify a method for linking NPD, Total Quality Management (TQM), Reliability and six-sigma programmes. This paper reveals that a few techniques and tools are commonly used in these programmes. These common tools and techniques, which form the links to achieve quality and reliability continuously in NPD process, are to be integrated with the pillars of six-sigma concept. The paper concludes by claiming that the development of a model using these links will help in the achievement of quality and reliability continuously in NPD process.

Keywords: NPD; new product development; TQM; total quality management; reliability; six sigma; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2011.039666

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2011 Vol.8 No.4, pp.487 - 515

Published online: 11 Mar 2015 *

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