Six Sigma tool selection to achieve goals in the short-term - a case study

摘要

Motivated by the idea that some quality tools interact in a better way among them than others do, the purpose of this paper is to analyse quality tools selection and combination, aiming at shorter-time DMAIC implementations through better-structured and straightforward tool selection. Based on a case study, this article explores the quality tools pre-selection. Through a literature review, the paper searches the available Six Sigma toolset, grounding the case study tool choice on previous studies. In this paper, a scrap reduction project of a Brazilian iron casting company was studied, where the team managed to implement a DMAIC process in two months, which resulted in benefits of approximately U$50.000,00 after the project implementation. There are several issues to be considered concerning the DMAIC toolset, especially about the criteria used to choose one or another tool. Thereby, specific combinations between quality tools can provide strategic advantages to organisations that develop DMAIC projects. This article might be of interest of many organisations' quality personnel, Six Sigma practitioners and management academics, as it details and gives theoretical support to some procedures onto implementing DMAIC cycles more promptly.