Lean six sigma project management – a stakeholder management perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaya Sunder M.
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Service Industries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the success of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in banking and financial services industry and to develop a structured stakeholders management model for successful LSS project management. Design/methodology/approach – A two-phase methodology is used. Phase 1 establishes the literature to understand two key process improvement methodologies – Lean and Six Sigma and to derive synergies by their combination leading to success in banking and financial services. The literature also helps to recognize the importance of stakeholder management in LSS projects and to understand how it helps in accelerating change in organizations. Phase 2 of the methodology is based on the interviews conducted by 56 global LSS project managers. This is to understand the practical challenges faced by the LSS project managers in banking and financial services tying back to the existing literature. Findings – The paper identifies the possible opportunities for structured stakeholder management across different phases of Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) project flow. The first of this kind, “Inform-Involve-Influence” model has been developed based on the understanding from literature and conclusions from the interviews conducted. The proposed model highlights the different set of stakeholders involved in LSS projects and their role in the project. The model also helps categorizing the stakeholders based on the DMAIC phases. Research limitations/implications – The paper is limited to readymade use in banking and financial service environments for LSS projects. However the paper sets a platform for further research to customize the proposed model for other service industries. Practical implications – The model proposed as part of the paper helps project managers to inform, involve and influence different set of stakeholders at different phases of the DMAIC flow. The model leaves an opportunity for further research and customization for other service industries outside the banking and financial services space like hospitality, government, heath care, etc. Benefits and limitations of the model were presented as part of the paper. Originality/value – The paper is the original work contributed by the author. Both the survey findings and the model developed are author’s original contribution for both academicians and corporate professionals.

Stakeholder analysis for Lean Six Sigma project management

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Abraham Elias
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sector Organisation

Purpose This paper aims to illustrate the usefulness of stakeholder analysis for managing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) projects effectively. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on an LSS case study that was initiated in a New Zealand public sector organisation. Findings A ten-step stakeholder analysis framework was applied to a public sector organisation in New Zealand. This analysis identified the stakeholders and their stakes, analysed the efficiency of their stakeholder management processes and evaluated the effectiveness of transactions between the stakeholders and the LSS project management. It also captured the changing salience of stakeholders during an LSS project. Practical implications The stakeholder analysis framework illustrated in this paper provides a practical toolset for managers involved in LSS projects. Originality/value Although some LSS experts have conducted a preliminary stakeholder analysis, the LSS literature lacks concrete examples of a thorough stakeholder analysis. This study tries to address this research gap by illustrating a stakeholder analysis framework for a New Zealand-based LSS project.

Lean Six Sigma in consumer banking – an empirical inquiry

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1345-1369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaya Sunder M. ◽  
L.S. Ganesh ◽  
Rahul R. Marathe
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Selection Criterion ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The evolution of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) within the operations management theory has enjoyed significant success in both manufacturing and services. Though the applicability of LSS is evident in the services sector through various publications, academic research on the use of LSS in the Banking and Financial Services (BFS) is limited, and hence deserves greater attention. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the application of LSS in consumer banking in real-time setting. Design/methodology/approach A case study method is used to study the application of LSS in two consumer banks with stage 1 featuring identification of appropriate consumer banks where LSS projects could be undertaken, and suitable LSS readiness assessment was performed. In stage 2, LSS project opportunities were identified in the select banks through stakeholder engagement. Finally, in stage 3, LSS projects were executed for process improvements in a real-time setting. Findings The case studies provide evidence of the successful application of LSS in consumer banking and the associated multiple benefits. The extent of applicability and appropriate managerial implications in project management context are elaborated. An LSS project selection criterion is recommended as a part of the study. Further, the study explains five important managerial implications in BFS context, with an outlook for future research. Research limitations/implications Practitioner research shows that BFS organizations have changed their ways of working by adapting LSS over the last decade. However, the academic research concerning the applicability of LSS in BFS is apparently limited, and none of these are specific to “consumer banking.” This study serves as a strong foundation for future research in this area, which is at its nascence and upcoming in the researchers’ community. However, strong generalizations should not be made as this study is limited to two cases. Practical implications Since the cases are executed in the real-time setup of consumer banks, the paper has several practical implications. First, the paper confirms the applicability of LSS in consumer banking and concludes that LSS project management is merely a sub-set of LSS deployment. Second, LSS needs to be understood using a “systems thinking” perspective in order to move away from a narrow project-only approach. An LSS project selection criterion is recommended as a part of the study, which could serve as a managerial resource. Other managerial implications include effective management of stakeholders and change leadership as essential elements of LSS project management in banks. Originality/value LSS has been successful in the past few decades in the manufacturing and service sectors. However, its application in BFS is limited. This study illustrates the applicability of LSS in consumer banks, which deals with high volumes of data, customer bases and associated financial transactions.

Assessment of critical failure factors (CFFs) of Lean Six Sigma in real life scenario

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 3320-3336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raja Sreedharan V. ◽  
Gopikumar V. ◽  
Smitha Nair ◽  
Ayon Chakraborty ◽  
Jiju Antony
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Service Industries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Failures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Failure Factors

Purpose Many projects focus on the reliable operation of the activities in the project. Any failure in the process activities leads to major problems resulting in waste, defects, equipment damage, which has a direct impact on the consumers. In addition, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not new to this issue. LSS projects have faced an interruption in the process flow and unforeseen defects. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the vital failure factors of LSS projects. Design/methodology/approach Through extant literature review, the researchers found 44 critical failure factors (CFFs) of LSS. Using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) SIMOS approach, the decision makers’ (DMs) rating and weight for each factor were collected. Moreover, the study was conducted in both the manufacturing and service industries to identify the impact of CFFs in LSS projects. Findings CFFs and their evaluation have received little attention in the literature. Most of the previous studies deal only with the identification of the success factors in general. Therefore, the study identified 44 CFFs and ranked them through DMs. In addition, the TOPSIS SIMOS approach ranked the vital failure factors enabling the management to avert the LSS project from failures. Research limitations/implications The study focused on project failures due to CFFs of LSS. Nevertheless, it did not consider other failure factors of project and knowledge management. Further, the sample used to test the approach was considerably small. Therefore, the study can be repeated with significant samples and the vital failure factors compared. Practical implications In real-life application, all the parameters in the LSS project need to be understood in a better manner. In such a condition, the practitioner needs to know that the project never fails due to the CFFs and TOPSIS SIMOS approach can prevent the LSS project failures. Originality/value The study applied TOPSIS SIMOS approach to rank the CFFs in an LSS project, which is first of its kind and aids the practitioners to make the right decisions in the business environment.

scholarly journals Lean Six Sigma implementation and sustainability roadmap for reducing medication errors in hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-55
Author(s):  
Yaifa Trakulsunti ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Jacqueline Ann Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Medication Errors ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Characteristics

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) roadmap to guide healthcare practitioners in the implementation of LSS along with a customized LSS tool kit for reducing medication errors.Design/methodology/approachThe authors initially critically reviewed several frameworks/roadmaps of Lean, Six Sigma and LSS which have been proposed in healthcare sector from the existing literature. This review has led to an understanding of key characteristics, limitations and reasons behind the development of such frameworks/roadmaps. A conceptual roadmap was developed and then validated by a number of LSS experts and a healthcare practitioner. Based on the previous studies and taking LSS experts’ opinions into account, a revised roadmap for reducing medication is presented.FindingsThe roadmap for LSS in reducing medication errors is developed. This roadmap includes three phases: Phase 1 cultural readiness for LSS employment in reducing medication errors; Phase 2 preparation, initialization and implementation; and Phase 3 sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe roadmap has been tested with only a handful of practitioners of LSS. Moreover, only two case studies have been carried out in a Thai hospital setting which followed the roadmap. In order to improve the validity of research, more case studies need to be executed and more people should be used for testing the roadmap with varied cultures.Originality/valueThis is the first attempt in the development of a LSS roadmap that healthcare practitioners can follow to reduce medication errors using LSS methodology and sustaining LSS in their organizations.

A Research Study on How Project Management Can Help Improve Lean Six Sigma

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Galli
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Project Completion

Today, project managers are challenged with improving efficiency and overall productivity while working on certain tasks. They must be flexible and understand how to use tools and methods to improve results. While Lean Six Sigma (LSS) provides an overall data driven process to detect and improve system defects, project management has tools to evaluate and create a defined plan and manage a project. This article examines LSS alongside Project Management. It breaks down Six Sigma's DMAIC process, and shows incorporate both LSS and project management tools. If LSS only focuses on minimizing defects, then time management, cost reduction, and overall project planning must be incorporated to achieve successful project completion. This research demonstrates how that is possible. Finally, the research answers a key question: Can project management benefit LSS?

Lean Six Sigma education in manufacturing companies: the case of transitioning markets

Kybernetes ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1421-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klemen Kavčič ◽  
Dušan Gošnik
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Transition Countries ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East European

Purpose In the global economy, managers are constantly innovating with their use of available Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools. Some factors, such as training and the right educational goals, have gained strong global acceptance. The purpose of this paper is to focus on contributions to organizational factors that predict organizations usage of LSS management tools to investigate expectations of project managers prior to LSS education and the extent of fulfilment of those expectations following LSS education in Slovenia, an East European country. Design/methodology/approach This research provides an empirical analysis of LSS as a learning structure and the characteristics of LSS project managers, followed by the results of an analysis of LSS usage in manufacturing companies in Slovenia following comparative surveys carried out in 2008 and 2013. Findings The top four essential characteristics for LSS organizations in 2013 include: being an innovative LSS project manager; being an effective communicator; having networking ability; and being a positive thinker. Results from 2008 to 2013 have shown differences in the stages of LSS implementation in Slovenia in these years. Differences were also seen in the level of participants’ LSS training in the studies performed. Originality/value This paper presents the first ever comparison study regarding the status of LSS education in transition countries, such as in Slovenian manufacturing companies. The study shows the expectations of participants before LSS education and their fulfilment following it. The research is original in many aspects: it includes aspects of external and internal LSS training in companies, it focusses on the manufacturing companies in the transition country of Slovenia and it provides a comparison of results in 2008 and in 2013 and an overview of the progress of LSS education. The paper will be of great value to academics, consultants, researchers, practitioners of LSS, current and future management and owners of companies in Slovenia and other similar East European transition countries. The findings will be useful in business practice for understanding the influences of education and training factors on LSS management tool usage.

The implementation of Lean Six Sigma concept at national bank of Kenya-operation division

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 683-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Mumo Ndaita ◽  
Thomas Gachie ◽  
Christopher W. Kiveu
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cycle Times ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
National Bank ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation at National bank Operations Division by utilizing the five stages of progress identified by Gygi et al. (2005), namely, initialize, deploy, implement, expand and sustain. A further aim was to determine the impact of implementation so far on various operations within the division. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted within the head office. Data were gathered through a questionnaire distributed to all employees working in the operations division via e-mail. Responses were analyzed using SPSS v20. Findings – The results obtained indicated that 99 percent of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the bank has past stages 1 and 2 and are now implementing stage 3. The finding also showed that there was a significant impact on a number of operations including reductions in average process cycle times, reductions in costs, reductions in turnaround times and reductions in error rates. Research limitations/implications – The research findings are limited to National Bank of Kenya Ltd and may not be generalized to other organizations. Further research will have to be carried out to cover other types of organizations to establish general impact. Practical implications – The findings of the study provide evidence of the practical benefits of LSS as well as justification for the adoption and implementation of LSS principles and techniques in the National Bank of Kenya with possible similar benefits for other financial services organizations. Originality/value – This study is the first to report on the implementation of LSS in a Kenya bank.

An empirical investigation of implementing Lean Six Sigma in Higher Education Institutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 2157-2180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaya Sunder M. ◽  
Sanjay Mahalingam
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Teams ◽  
Service Sectors ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the applicability and implementation of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). LSS is considered as the most recent service quality practice which has proved its success in manufacturing and service sectors. Though there is plenty of literature available with regard to the application and benefits of LSS in services sectors (like Banking, healthcare, information technology sectors, etc.), there is apparently no evidence in the literature about the implementation of LSS in HEIs. Design/methodology/approach A five-phased approach is followed. A multiple case-study method is used in this paper to explore this implementation of LSS in two select international University colleges. LSS toolkit comprising of define-measure-analyze-improve-control phases is used for the execution of the projects. Featuring student teams in LSS project management adds novelty to the approach. Findings The paper empirically validates the application of LSS in HEIs. Further, it highlights the practical challenges and benefits of LSS in the HEI setup. An in-depth empirical analysis of LSS toolkit application, LSS change management and using student teams in LSS project management are the highlights of this paper. The paper concludes that LSS is applicable and could provide positive benefits to HEIs. Research limitations/implications LSS application in HEIs is perhaps a new research area, which is at its nascence and upcoming in the researchers’ community. Hence, this paper would serve as a platform and provide directions for future scholars to ponder on the subject. Practical implications Since the cases are executed in the real-time setup of HEIs, the paper has several practical implications. First, the academia and practitioners’ collaboration in executing projects adds novelty. Second, the involvement of student teams from project selection to execution brings in practical perspectives alongside the academic education. Several other key lessons learned and benefits of LSS in HEI setup are presented as part of the paper. Originality/value LSS has been successful in the past few decades in the manufacturing and service sectors. However, its application in HEIs was very nascent, and few researchers even doubted its relevancy of application in HEIs. This study illustrates its importance and application to the higher education sector which is a highly responsible area of the service sector, for imbibing quality excellence, serving as an excellent resource for researchers and higher education professionals.

scholarly journals Knowledge-based Lean Six Sigma maintenance system for sustainable buildings

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasim Aldairi ◽  
M.K. Khan ◽  
J. Eduardo Munive-Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Rule Base ◽  
Sustainable Buildings ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Knowledge Based

Purpose This paper aims to develop a knowledge-based (KB) system for Lean Six Sigma (LSS) maintenance in environmentally sustainable buildings (Lean6-SBM). Design/methodology/approach The Lean6-SBM conceptual framework has been developed using the rule base approach of KB system and joint integration with gauge absence prerequisites (GAP) technique. A comprehensive literature review is given for the main pillars of the framework with a typical output of GAP analysis. Findings Implementation of LSS in the sustainable building maintenance context requires a pre-assessment of the organisation’s capabilities. A conceptual framework with a design structure is proposed to tackle this issue with the provision of an enhancing strategic and operational decision-making hierarchy. Research limitations/implications Future research work might consider validating this framework in other type of industries. Practical implications Maintenance activities in environmentally sustainable buildings must take prodigious standards into consideration, and, therefore, a robust quality assurance measure has to be integrated. Originality/value The significance of this research is to present a novel use of hybrid KB/GAP methodologies to develop a Lean6-SBM system. The originality and novelty of this approach will assist in identifying quality perspectives while implementing different maintenance strategies in the sustainable building context.

Critical success factors of Lean Six Sigma deployment: a current review

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fairul Anwar Abu Bakar ◽  
Khairanum Subari ◽  
Mohd Amran Mohd Daril
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Improvement Methodologies ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
A Current

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review and gather the latest critical success factors (CSF) of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) deployment and implementation into a comprehensive list of factors. Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken by authors in this study was to analyze the latest literature review starting 2010 onwards and focus on CSFs of LSS (not dedicated as Lean or Six Sigma) by excluding other improvement methodologies or initiatives, e.g. Lean, Six Sigma, TQM, TRIZ etc. Findings – Five significant CSFs were identified (initially 97 CSFs listed from 13 papers) out of nine groups/headers listed in clustering analysis using Affinity Diagram tool and new headers mapping. Practical implications – Most of the organisations were aware of the success story on LSS, but did not scrutinize or consider its CSFs. By knowing the outcome of this paper, it can help open eyes regarding readiness before implementing LSS. Originality/value – At the end of this paper, the authors tried to cluster the CSFs similarities that could intentionally provide the guidelines and references to industries/companies for successful deployment and implementation of LSS in future endeavours.

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