Title: Investigation and analysis of public speaking skills of engineers using DMAIC path

Authors: Nikhil Kewalkrishna Mehta; Diana P. Purushothaman; Srikar Chennamsetty

Addresses: National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai – 400087, India ' National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai – 400087, India ' National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai – 400087, India

Abstract: Literature suggests clear need to work on the public speaking skills of engineers. In such pursuance, teaching methodologies involving active experimentation and reflective observation have been valued. In this endeavour, an effort was made to design such an andragogy. DMAIC principles (define, measure, analyse, improve and control) were used to reduce the variations in associated human abilities. Quality circles were created to establish benchmarks, accurate goals, and reduce variations in human fallibilities in public speaking. Association between treatment and performances of engineers were determined using non-parametric tests. Against 1,320 total opportunities given to 55 engineers, percentage yield was found to be 38.71% at process sigma of 1.21.

Keywords: Six Sigma; DMAIC; public speaking; communication pedagogies; engineers; anxiety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2018.091280

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2018 Vol.15 No.1, pp.40 - 65

Received: 14 Oct 2016
Accepted: 07 Jan 2017
Published online: 20 Apr 2018 *

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