Six sigma project generation and selection: an action research study
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test and develop a method for generation and selection of six sigma projects. This is done by testing the use of the generation and selection method for six sigma projects (GSM_SSP) in a Brazilian manufacturing industry with the participation of managers, aiming to gather the user’s perspective and improvement opportunities for the approach itself.
Design/methodology/approach
The work adopts the action research (AR) approach once the researchers were busily involved in the training, implementation and use of the GSM_SSP. The intervention was performed in on a series of 15 workshops, with a group of managers, during six months.
Findings
The application of the eight steps of the GSM_SSP approach assisted the company’s management team to generate nine project candidates and also to select three six sigma projects. This study also finds and discusses barriers and lessons learned used to improve the GSM_SSP.
Research limitations/implications
This study presents an example of how six sigma project generation and selection has been applied to a manufacturing industry by adapting AR to the process using the eight steps of GSM_SSP, demonstrating how the management team was involved. This study should be replicated in different companies because AR is limited in its generalization.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first use of AR methodology in six sigma project selection. This study contributes a method that can generate and select six sigma projects. In doing so, the research offers a simple approach that can be used by managers. In addition, the steps of the approach before selection were explored.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the support from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq – Brazil. Moreover, the authors wish to thank the company, whose name is kept confidential, which allowed the field research to be carried out at its facilities, contributing to the time of its staff, entrusting data and information that made it possible to carry out this research.
Disclosure statement: The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.
Citation
Condé, G.C.P., Toledo, J.C. and Martens, M.L. (2024), "Six sigma project generation and selection: an action research study", International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-04-2023-0070
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited