Title: POYSS: a model for integrating Poka-Yoke technique with Six Sigma concept

Authors: M. Vinod; S.R. Devadasan; D.T. Sunil; V.M.M. Thilak; R. Murugesh

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India ' Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India ' Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India ' Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India ' Darshan Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajkot, Gujarat, India

Abstract: Six Sigma is a concept that facilitates an organisation to perform at zero defect level. Six Sigma is the extension of total quality management (TQM). Hence, many TQM tools are employed while implementing Six Sigma program in organisations. However, some techniques are yet to be integrated with Six Sigma concept. One of such techniques is Poka-Yoke. On realising this research and practice gap, the research presented in this paper was carried out. This research was carried out in three stages. In the first stage, literature was surveyed in the domains of Six Sigma and Poka-Yoke. In the second stage, a model was designed by superimposing the procedure of implementing Poka-Yoke concept as given by its propagandist Shigeo Shingo with the framework of Six Sigma. This model has been named as POYSS (stands for Poka-Yoke enabled Six Sigma). During the third stage, the implementation of POYSS was explored by developing a hypothetical case study. These activities are briefly presented in this paper. While concluding this paper, it is mentioned that the conduct of several case studies will facilitate to derive information and knowledge which can be infused into POYSS model to make it a highly practically compatible model.

Keywords: total quality management; TQM; Six Sigma; Poka-Yoke; DMAIC; belt system.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2017.086360

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2017 Vol.22 No.2, pp.223 - 242

Received: 04 Apr 2016
Accepted: 30 Jun 2016

Published online: 04 Sep 2017 *

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