Title: Literature snapshot on Six Sigma project selection for future research

Authors: Muthuswamy Shanmugaraja; Muthuswamy Nataraj; Nallasamy Gunasekaran

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Technology, Thadagam Road, Coimbatore – 641013, Tamilnadu, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Technology, Thadagam Road, Coimbatore – 641013, Tamilnadu, India. ' Angel College of Engineering and Technology, Angel Nagar, Dharapuram Main Road, Tirupur – 641665, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: Six Sigma is regarded as a well-structured methodology for improving the quality of processes and products. It helps achieve the company's strategic goal through the effective use of project-driven approach. As Six Sigma is a project-driven methodology, it is essential to prioritise projects which provide maximum financial benefits to the organisation. Generating and prioritising the critical Six Sigma projects, however, are real challenges in practice. A detailed literature review on Six Sigma research reveals that project selection is an area of extreme importance for assuring success of Six Sigma implementation, but that has been less researched in the past. This paper provides both academics and practitioners with a useful framework for pursuing rigorous Six Sigma project selection research through snapshot review of published literatures.

Keywords: six sigma; quality improvement; project selection; organisation; total quality management; TQM; define; measure; analyse; improve; control; DMAIC; defects per million opportunities; DPMO; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2012.045662

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2012 Vol.11 No.3, pp.335 - 357

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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