Sensitisation of SMEs towards the implementation of Lean Six Sigma – an initialisation in a cylinder frames manufacturing Indian SME

Abstract

This article suggests the adoption of a model on Lean Six Sigma for successfully implementing it in small and medium engineering enterprises (SMEs). This model is given the name Deficiency Overcoming Lean Anchorage Define Measure Analyse Improve Control Stabilise (DOLADMAICS). The DOLADMAICS model has been designed to lift up an SME through the implementation of Lean Six Sigma in five levels. The implementation study on first level of DOLADMAICS model conducted in an Indian SME, manufacturing a component called ‘cylinder frames’, has been reported in this article. After conducting this implementation study, it was found that the first level of DOLADMAICS model would act as a catalyst and guide for sensitising the management of SMEs to successfully implement Lean Six Sigma.

Keywords:

• lean manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Lean Six Sigma
• small and medium engineering enterprises (SMEs)
• DMAIC

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the service offered by Mr R. Karthikeyan, Mr C. Sashi Kumar and Mr R. Sathya Krishna, former undergraduate Production Engineering students of PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, India towards gathering the data during the conduct of the research reported in this article. The authors are grateful to the anonymous referees whose constructive comments have been utilised to improve the presentation of this article.