Application of Lean Six Sigma Methodology and Queueing Theory to Minimize Systemic Variability: A Case Study from Public Services

Author(s):  
F. P. Santhiapillai ◽  
R. M. Chandima Ratnayake
Exacta ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-200
Author(s):  
Marina Langoni Linares ◽  
Eliane Da Silva Christo ◽  
Kelly Alonso Costa

Customers are each day more demanding with costs reduction, sustainability, quality improvement and shorter lead times. Since logistics operation is involved in every step of the chain, it becomes an important asset for companies to win market share. Seeking to attend the organizations and customers’ needs, Lean Six Sigma methodology could bring benefits to logistics services. Aiming to study those benefits, this article presents a case study about the interaction between the LSS and the loading process in a paper mill located in Brazil. The site had already adopted the DMAIC method in the manufacturing areas, but not in the service ones, which made it easier the implementation, guaranteeing the support and involvement of management. In the end of the study, it was possible to notice several benefits in implementing the LSS, as reduction of 32% of cycle time and 43% of performance improvement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 12-29
Author(s):  
Iman Qassin Alsaffar ◽  
Hussein Salim Ketan

Lean Six Sigma methodologies and Ergonomics principles are the main pillars of this work given their importance in the implementation of continuous improvement in assembly workstations design. When looking at the introduction of the Ergonomics that has been affected by the integration of the Lean and Six Sigma for improvements, it is necessary to understand why these methodologies belong to each other and how they can be handled in the industrial field. The aim of the work seeks towards the impact of analyzing the integration of the basics tools of Lean and Six Sigma that enhanced Ergonomics highlighted the importance of using the priority matrix in the selection of the priority criteria. Two models of a system based on building a knowledge base were used to collect and record measurement data from information and facts. The first is the "Process-flow vs. Time Efficiency" relates to "value added and non-value added" activities. The second is the "Work-Condition vs. Ergonomics Effects", which focuses on postural movements of the worker. These integrative models are represented by the application of a system called "LSS + ERGO System". The appropriate state that can deal with this situation is the use of Smart Priority Matrices that will prove to be a useful tool. This method (tool) is possible to understand what actions are potential and important to be implemented, according to the track that the research will be taken. The results show that the improvement suggestions existing in the Improve stage focused on the opportunities that weigh larger than the average (10%)  obtain the acceptable procedures for optimization proposals can be identified as the research plan is presented for implementation. The case study has been implemented in the General Company for Hydraulic Industries/ Damper Assembly Factory.  


Author(s):  
Shreeranga Bhat ◽  
E.V. Gijo ◽  
N.A. Jnanesh

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the scope of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) strategy and to explore its successful deployment in the Indian healthcare sector. Design/methodology/approach – The research reported in this paper is based on a case study carried out using the LSS DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Control) approach and its application in improving the registration process in the Health Information Department (HID) of a Medical College hospital in India. Findings – The study describes improvements in the HID through the power of LSS. Cycle time of the process was reduced from three to 1.5 minutes and the SD was reduced to 21.2 from 61 seconds. The project has shown a 94 per cent reduction in patients’ average waiting time. The study also reported a 91 per cent reduction in queue length and 48 per cent reduction in percentage of scheduled utilization of staff for the process. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on a single case study executed in a hospital and hence there is limitation in generalizing the specific results from the study. But the approach adopted and the learning from this study can be generalized. The study is of use to healthcare practitioners seeking to implement or develop LSS further in their organizations. Originality/value – Although LSS being extremely successful in the last two decades, the application of LSS to the healthcare industry in general and HID in particular has been limited. This study illustrates how its application can improve the performance of the process and thus productivity in the department.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 550
Author(s):  
Brian Byrne ◽  
Olivia McDermott ◽  
John Noonan

This research examines a case study on the implementation of an effective approach to advanced Lean Six Sigma problem-solving within a pharmaceutical manufacturing site which manufactures acetaminophen (paracetamol containing pain relief) tablets. Though this study was completed in a single manufacturing company, the implementation of this study delivers important application and results that can be deployed in other such manufacturing companies. The manufacturing site faced backlogs in customer orders due to increased demand. Increased demand is due to brand popularity and recognition, product efficacy and a COVID 19 pandemic that intensified the demand for pain relief tablets in an already very busy site. With increased demand, to ensure timely deliveries, customer satisfaction and minimize delays, sources of site productivity losses and wastes needed to be analyzed and reduced or eliminated. Manufacturing Packaging line downtime was identified as one area of concern. The goal of the research was to introduce a problem-solving technique to reduce downtime within a manufacturing site without affecting the production required to fulfil customer demand while increasing product quality. The research utilized an integrated LSS methodology which identifies, stratifies and effectively eliminates non-value adding (waste) activities, by following a 7-step customized problem-solving methodology which resulted in complete elimination of the issue under investigation and savings of just under half a million dollars. The learnings are being deployed and leveraged worldwide across the pharmaceutical organizations parent site and sister sites. The presented results demonstrated that Lean Six Sigma methodology and tools are effective for accurate root causing of problems and enablers of implementation of continuous improvement.


2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen F. Mohamed Isa ◽  
Mumtaz Usmen

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study on the use of Lean Six Sigma principles and tools to study the improvement in design and construction services at a university. The quality of facilities services at universities has been criticized by users calling for improvement. Design/methodology/approach – Quality of facilities services at universities has been criticized by users calling for improvement. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study on using Lean Six Sigma principles and tools to study improving design and construction services at a university. Findings – It was found that non-value-added general improvement review form (GIRF) process steps involving revisions and rework for the design and construction result in time delays, cost increases and quality deficiencies and render cost estimates unreliable; these are unnecessary and should be minimized or eliminated. It was additionally noted that administrative reviews and approvals embedded in GIRF processes slow down work flow, leading to similar problems. Because such steps may be needed for institutional reasons precluding elimination, it was recommended that efforts be directed toward reducing their durations and costs. Overall, the Lean Six Sigma methodology proved to be successful for the intended purpose. Originality/value – Although universities are aware of their facilities services’ quality issues and have been addressing them, no published information is available on how to systematically evaluate and improve such services to increase customer satisfaction. This paper aims at filling this gap.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Tuan-Anh Tran ◽  
Khai Luu-Nhan ◽  
Rajab Ghabour ◽  
Miklos Daroczi

AbstractHandicraft production is usually chaotic and difficult to monitor, since its products and manufacturing processes are complex. As all the manufacturing steps rely on varied skill levels of the workers, the situation is even more stochastic. There are several common problems, such as inappropriate production method, line unbalance, excessive stock, lack of production planning and control phases, etc. They stem from the lack of suitable operation model, redundant workforce usage, and insufficient internal training activities, which lead to the waste of human resources. In this paper, a roadmap to improve the operational efficiency of handicraft manufacturing is suggested, using Lean-Six Sigma methodology and tools. A case study is conducted in a Vietnamese firm to show the validity of the approach.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document