Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Potential application of Six Sigma tool in the integrated product development process

  • Review
  • Published:
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Six Sigma program was first created to analyze the occurrence of defects with the reduction of variability around a target value of a characteristic that measured product performance. However, its objectives now transcend the original purpose, encompassing a new philosophy of problem solving that extols the analysis and diagnosis of the problem before actions are taken to solve it. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the implementation of the Six Sigma approach in companies and to identify difficulties and best practices that can contribute to the efficiency of the Six Sigma tool in the integrated product development process. Those practices are generated from literature and the companies’ reality. An exploratory analysis is made from a sample of the greatest industrial and technological companies from Brazil. The main scope of the analysis consists of assessing the perception of those companies about the ability of Six Sigma tool to improve their processes of technological innovation and new products development. In addition, we compare long-standing theoretical issues against actions carried out by those companies. The results show that the main perceived contribution of Design for Six Sigma is to establish a structured method that conducts the translation of market demands into specifications for a new product development. The interviewed companies understand the Six Sigma tool as an isolated application of tools, which are not integrated in the New Product Development Process information flow.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. OECD Manual de Oslo (2004) Estrutura para coleta e interpretação de dados sobre a inovação. http://www.mct.gov.br/upd_blob/0026/26032.pdf. Accessed in Dec 2015

  2. Poolton J, Barclay I (1998) New product development from past research to future applications. Ind Market Manag 27:197–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Celik HK, Lupeanu ME, Rennie AEW, Neagu C, Akinci I (2013) Product re-design using advanced engineering applications and function analysis: a case study for greenhouse clips. J Braz Soc Mech Sci 35:305–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hart S (1993) Dimensions of success in new product development: an exploratory investigation. J Market Manag 9:23–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Hollins B, Pugh S (1990) Successful product design. Butterworth Heinemann, London

    Google Scholar 

  6. Huang YS, Liu LC, Jw Ho (2015) Decisions on new product development under uncertainties. Int J Syst Sci 46:1010–1019

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  7. Xin Y, Chai KH, Bauky JA (2004) The application of new product development tools in industry. In: International engineering management conference, proceedings, pp 968–972

  8. Creveling C, Slutsky J, Antis D (2003) Design for Six Sigma in technology and product development. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rozenfeld H, Forcellini F, Amaral D, Silva S, Alliprandini D, Scalice R (2006) Gestão de Desenvolvimento de Produtos: Uma referência para melhoria do processo. Saraiva, São Paulo

    Google Scholar 

  10. Crawford CM, Di Benedetto CA (2000) New products management. McGraw-Hill, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ulrich KT, Eppinger SD (2000) Product design and development. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  12. Baxter M (1998) Projeto de produto: guia prático para o design de novos produtos. Edgard Blucher, São Paulo

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hair JF, Anderson R, Taham RL, Black WC (1998) Multivariate data analysis. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River

    Google Scholar 

  14. Montogomery DC (2001) Design and analysis of experiments. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  15. Mayda M, Borklu HR (2014) An integration of TRIZ and the systematic approach of Pahl and Beitz for innovative conceptual design process. J Braz Soc Mech Sci 36:859–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Product Genesis INC (2005) Accelerating success through strategic innovation. http://www.productgenesis.com/pg_archive_publications.htm. Accessed Dec 2014

  17. Aboelmaged MG (2010) Six Sigma quality: a structured review and implications for future research. Int J Qual Reliab Manag 27:268–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Smith L (2005) Six Sigma and the evolution of quality in product development. http://www.asq.org. Accessed Nov 2014

  19. Pahl G, Beitz W (1996) Engineering design: a systematic approach. Springer, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  20. Roozemburg NFM, Eekels J (1996) Product design fundamentals and methods. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  21. Suh NP (1990) The principles of design. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  22. Dickson P (1994) Marketing management. The Dryden Press, Fort Worth

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kotler P (1997) Administração de marketing: análise, planejamento, implementação e controle. Atlas, São Paulo

    Google Scholar 

  24. Mortensen NH, Harlou U, Haug A (2008) Improving decision making in the early phases of configuration projects. Int J Ind Eng 15:185–194

    Google Scholar 

  25. Andreasen MM, Hein L (1987) Integrated product development. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  26. Vinod M, Devadasan SR, Sunil DT, Thilak VMM (2015) Six Sigma through Poka-Yoke: a navigation through literature arena. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 81:315–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Pfeifer T, Reissiger W, Canales C (2004) Integrating six sigma with quality management systems. Total Qual Manag 16:241–249

    Google Scholar 

  28. De Feo JA, Bar-Ei Z (2002) Creating strategic change more efficiently with a new design for six sigma process. J Change Manag 3:60–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Bothe KR, Bothe AK (2000) World class quality: using design of experiments to make it happen. American Management Association, New York

    Google Scholar 

  30. Treichler D, Carmichael R, Kusmanoff A, Lewis J, Berthiez G (2002) Design for Six Sigma: 15 lessons learned. Qual Prog 35:33–42

    Google Scholar 

  31. Kulkarini G (2004) Six Sigma demystified. The Hindu Business Line, 2004. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/03/16/stories/2004031600240900.htm. Accessed Feb 2015

  32. Valles A, Noriega S, Sanchez J, Martinez E, Salinas J (2009) Six Sigma improvement project for automotive speakers in a assembly process. Int J Ind Eng Theory 16:182–190

    Google Scholar 

  33. Valles A, Sanchez J, Noriega S, Nunes BG (2009) Implementation of Six Sigma in a Manufacturing Process: a case study. Int J Ind Eng Theory 16:171–181

    Google Scholar 

  34. Steffen D, Ostarello A, Clevenger J, Villarraga M (2009) Troubleshooting analyses of production data. Int J Ind Eng 16:206–213

    Google Scholar 

  35. Zhang M, Wang W, Goh TN, He Z (2015) Comprehensive Six Sigma application: a case study. Prod Plan Control 26:219–234

    Google Scholar 

  36. Chen HC, Chang TC, Lin YT, Cheng HY, Chang TL (2013) Application of DMAIC process to enhance health effects in caring institution. Qual Quant 47:2065–2080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Chowdhury S (2002) Design for Six Sigma: the revolutionary process for achieving extraordinary profits. Dearnborn Trade Publishing, Detroit

    Google Scholar 

  38. Clausing DP (1993) Total quality development: a step-by-step guide to world class concurrent engineering. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York

    Google Scholar 

  39. Gustafsson A (1997) The new quality tools. Total Qual Manag 8:167–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Yang K, El-Haik B (2003) Design for Six Sigma: a roadmap for product development. McGraw-Hill, USA

    Google Scholar 

  41. Anil R, Seshadri V, Chavala A, Vemuri M (2004) A methodology for managing multi-disciplinary programs with six sigma approach. Int Eng Manag Conf Proc 2:785–788

    Google Scholar 

  42. Venter GS, Beck AT, Silva MM (2014) A simple hierarchical procedure for parameter identification in robust topology optimization. J Braz Soc Mech Sci 1:11

    Google Scholar 

  43. Hasenkamp T (2010) Engineering design for Six Sigma—a systematic approach. Qual Reliab Eng Int 26:317–324

    Google Scholar 

  44. Patterson ML (1993) Accelerating innovation. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York

    Google Scholar 

  45. Johnson A (2002) Six Sigma in R&D. Rese Technol Manag 45(12):16

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kwak YH, Anbari FT (2006) Benefits, obstacles, and future of six sigma approach. Technovation 26(708):715

    Google Scholar 

  47. McCarty T, Daniels L, Bremer M, Gupta P (2004) The Six Sigma black belt handbook. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Statistics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Oswaldo Aranha, 99, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035190, Brazil

    Márcia Elisa Echeveste

  2. Department of Industrial Engineering, EESC, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São Carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13566590, Brazil

    Henrique Rozenfeld

  3. Department of Industrial Engineering, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Oswaldo Aranha, 99, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035190, Brazil

    Monique Sonego

Authors
  1. Márcia Elisa Echeveste
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Henrique Rozenfeld
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Monique Sonego
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Monique Sonego.

Additional information

Technical Editor: Fernando Antonio Forcellini.

Appendix: Interview questions

Appendix: Interview questions

  1. 1.

    What are the principal barriers and best practices involved in the implementation of Six Sigma and Six Sigma in NPD?

  2. 2.

    Historically, what quality programs has the company had?

  3. 3.

    Among the Six Sigma projects, which characteristics stand out and are common?

  4. 4.

    In Six Sigma projects, which areas normally are connected in the solution of existing problems?

  5. 5.

    What criteria are used to select projects for Six Sigma or DFSS?

  6. 6.

    Which Six Sigma methodology does your company follow?

  7. 7.

    In your opinion, what are the difficulties and best practices in your company?

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Echeveste, M.E., Rozenfeld, H. & Sonego, M. Potential application of Six Sigma tool in the integrated product development process. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 38, 2499–2511 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-016-0503-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-016-0503-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation