41
A company wide strategic initiative for process improvement in both
manufacturing and service organizations with the clear objective of
reducing costs and increasing revenues.
(Manuel, L & Marklund, J 2005)
Revenues are dependent on how well the firm can satisfy the external
customers' desires. An important Six Sigma success factor is the focus on
internal and external
customer requirements
in eve ry single
improvement
project
(Keown,
AJ,
Martin,
JD,
Petty,
J,
William
&
Scott,
DF
2005)
Moreover, cycle time analysis provide valuable information about process
performance that helps identify problems, increases process understanding, and
evaluates
the
effect
of
design
changes.
Theory
of
Constraints
(TOC)
is
an
approach for identifying and managing bottlenecks in order to increase process
flow and thereby process efficiency (Whitten,
Bentley,
&
Dittman
2000).
Moreover,
TOC
is
focusing
on
improving
the
bottom
line
through
increasing
throughput, reducing inventory, and reducing operating costs.
2.5.2 The Six Sigma Framework
The Six Sigma Framework is centered on a disciplined and quantitatively
oriented improvement methodology (DMAIC) Define, Measure, Analyze,
Improve, and Control. The DMAIC methodology provides a common language
so that experiences and successes can be shared through the organization.
6
.
The
DMAIC
methodology
provides
a
common
language
so
that
experiences
and
6
See attachment on Appendix A for example DMAIC table.
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