Project selection through fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and a case study on Six Sigma implementation in an automotive industry

Abstract

Six Sigma is viewed as a systematic, scientific, statistical and smarter approach for management of innovation and focuses on establishing world class business performance. The main identifiers and supreme features of Six Sigma amongst other improvement techniques are: its rich ground which covers many customer oriented and problem solving techniques and its scientific methodology which is based on statistics. One of the most important factors of achieving success is selection of the right Six Sigma projects. This article presents a case study in which both Six Sigma project is selected and Six Sigma methodology is adopted to reduce the energy cost by the optimisation of material transferring heat loss in an automotive supplier industry. To cope with ambiguity and vagueness in the Six Sigma project selection problem, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process has been used. This article also describes how various tools and techniques are employed in the different phases within the Six Sigma methodology and how the improvement actions are implemented. In conclusion, the key benefits and experience gained from this project are emphasised.

Keywords:

• Six Sigma
• DMAIC
• project selection
• fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP)
• Taguchi method