Development of a web application for the optimization of administrative processes: application of the lean methodology for priority classification

This study is part of the context of the Research Project signed between the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) and the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology Goiano (IF Goiano) for the development of methodologies with a view to implement and operate an agreement monitoring center. Its objective is to present the tool (software) developed via web to organize the structure of the chain of value of the Ministry of Agriculture's system of agreements, map performance indicators and classify process optimization priorities, based on parameters of efficiency and effectiveness of the reengineering processes. This is applied research in the empirical scenario of the Agreements Sector of MAPA, which uses the case study procedure to achieve its objective. The software development is based on the theoretical framework of Business Process Management (BPM) and Lean Six Sigma, with the application of the GUT Matrix tool and the Eisenhower Matrix for decision making. The primary data were collected through unstructured interviews with nine key informants working in the macro-processes of formalization, execution and monitoring and rendering of accounts of agreements. The results contain the characterization of the MAPA agreement area, highlighting the main activities carried out in the three macroprocesses, the description of the modelling characteristics and functionalities of the developed software and the discussion of benefits arising from the application of information technologies to the Business Process Management (BPM).  It can be inferred that the Lean methodology is plausible as a logical “production line”, since it is adaptable to a structured algorithm, which provides an orderly solution of problems focused on continuous improvement

Implementation of business process improvement project carried out at Nottinghamshire Healthcare National Health Service Trust (NHNHST) involving the real-time application of lean six sigma principles and Information Technology (IT)

This dissertation demonstrates the implementation of a business process improvement project carried out at Nottinghamshire Health Care National Health Service Trust (NHNHST) involving the real-time application of lean six sigma principles and Information Technology (IT). The goal of project is to find a business solution that allows NHNHST to share and collaborate information using the HP Action Plan tracker (HPAPT) more efficiently and effectively in order to embed on-going learning within the Health Partnerships (HP) division. To achieve our goal, we utilised the DMAIC methodology of lean six sigma, where we have used tools such as project charter, business process maps, check sheets, time analysis, fish bone diagram, poka yoke and process flow logic. The main highlight of our approach was the out-of-box idea to interface and jointly use the DMAIC methodology with the waterfall model of software development life cycle. We also carried out primary research (face-to face interviews, telephonic survey, meetings and brainstorming with the Client team and end users) to document current system architecture, its gaps and user requirements. Secondary research (IT research reports from Gartner, Forrester, etc. and software product section of leading software companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, etc.) was conducted to identify the right software product that will deploy as the solution. Consequently, process re-design recommendations were given, which comprised the removal of non-value added activities such as sending manual notifications, duplication of tasks, manual version control and manual management of documents. This will also improve the quality of documents by elimination of data anomalies. The overall “To-be” design of the improved process was proposed to the Client. To materialise this design, Microsoft SharePoint as the content management software was identified, and has been already agreed with the Client for its deployment in the organisation. The Microsoft SharePoint software will enhance operations by bringing automation, real-time updatability, collaboration in work, automatic notifications and interactive user interface to the Client. To ensure the successful adoption of a business solution at both the individual and the organisational level, a change management strategy has been recommended to the Client that includes making effective communications through different media, providing hands-on training to employees and involving senior management support. The Client team has enthusiastically accepted the business solution. By implementing the business solution, NHNHST is anticipated to achieve per year cost savings of £35,700 and an 83% improvement in operational efficiency. However, the recommended solution will only operate till deployment of Microsoft SharePoint software and further work is required to create a solution for its maintenance, control and support phases

Implementation of business process improvement project carried out at Nottinghamshire Healthcare National Health Service Trust (NHNHST) involving the real-time application of lean six sigma principles and Information Technology (IT)

This dissertation demonstrates the implementation of a business process improvement project carried out at Nottinghamshire Health Care National Health Service Trust (NHNHST) involving the real-time application of lean six sigma principles and Information Technology (IT). The goal of project is to find a business solution that allows NHNHST to share and collaborate information using the HP Action Plan tracker (HPAPT) more efficiently and effectively in order to embed on-going learning within the Health Partnerships (HP) division. To achieve our goal, we utilised the DMAIC methodology of lean six sigma, where we have used tools such as project charter, business process maps, check sheets, time analysis, fish bone diagram, poka yoke and process flow logic. The main highlight of our approach was the out-of-box idea to interface and jointly use the DMAIC methodology with the waterfall model of software development life cycle. We also carried out primary research (face-to face interviews, telephonic survey, meetings and brainstorming with the Client team and end users) to document current system architecture, its gaps and user requirements. Secondary research (IT research reports from Gartner, Forrester, etc. and software product section of leading software companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, etc.) was conducted to identify the right software product that will deploy as the solution. Consequently, process re-design recommendations were given, which comprised the removal of non-value added activities such as sending manual notifications, duplication of tasks, manual version control and manual management of documents. This will also improve the quality of documents by elimination of data anomalies. The overall “To-be” design of the improved process was proposed to the Client. To materialise this design, Microsoft SharePoint as the content management software was identified, and has been already agreed with the Client for its deployment in the organisation. The Microsoft SharePoint software will enhance operations by bringing automation, real-time updatability, collaboration in work, automatic notifications and interactive user interface to the Client. To ensure the successful adoption of a business solution at both the individual and the organisational level, a change management strategy has been recommended to the Client that includes making effective communications through different media, providing hands-on training to employees and involving senior management support. The Client team has enthusiastically accepted the business solution. By implementing the business solution, NHNHST is anticipated to achieve per year cost savings of £35,700 and an 83% improvement in operational efficiency. However, the recommended solution will only operate till deployment of Microsoft SharePoint software and further work is required to create a solution for its maintenance, control and support phases

Application of six sigma methodology to reduce defects of a grinding process

Six Sigma is a data-driven leadership approach using specific tools and methodologies that lead to fact-based decision making. This paper deals with the application of the Six Sigma methodology in reducing defects in a fine grinding process of an automotive company in India. The DMAIC (Define–Measure–Analyse–Improve–Control) approach has been followed here to solve the underlying problem of reducing process variation and improving the process yield. This paper explores how a manufacturing process can use a systematic methodology to move towards world-class quality level. The application of the Six Sigma methodology resulted in reduction of defects in the fine grinding process from 16.6 to 1.19%. The DMAIC methodology has had a significant financial impact on the profitability of the company in terms of reduction in scrap cost, man-hour saving on rework and increased output. A saving of approximately US$2.4 million per annum was reported from this project

Case study in six sigma methadology : manufacturing quality improvement and guidence for managers

This article discusses the successful implementation of Six Sigma methodology in a high precision and critical process in the manufacture of automotive products. The Six Sigma define–measure–analyse–improve–control approach resulted in a reduction of tolerance-related problems and improved the first pass yield from 85% to 99.4%. Data were collected on all possible causes and regression analysis, hypothesis testing, Taguchi methods, classification and regression tree, etc. were used to analyse the data and draw conclusions. Implementation of Six Sigma methodology had a significant financial impact on the profitability of the company. An approximate saving of US$70,000 per annum was reported, which is in addition to the customer-facing benefits of improved quality on returns and sales. The project also had the benefit of allowing the company to learn useful messages that will guide future Six Sigma activities

Winning customer loyalty in an automotive company through Six Sigma: a case study

Six Sigma is a disciplined approach to improving product, process and service quality. Since its inception at Motorola in the mid 1980s Six Sigma has evolved significantly and continues to expand to improve process performance, enhance business profitability and increase customer satisfaction. This paper presents an extensive literature review based on the experiences of both academics and practitioners on Six Sigma, followed by the application of the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) problem-solving methodology to identify the parameters causing casting defects and to control these parameters. The results of the study are based on the application of tools and techniques in the DMAIC methodology, i.e. Pareto Analysis, Measurement System Analysis, Regression Analysis and Design of Experiment. The results of the study show that the application of the Six Sigma methodology reduced casting defects and increased the process capability of the process from 0.49 to 1.28. The application of DMAIC has resulted in a significant financial impact (over U.S. $110 000 per annum) on the bottom-line of the company

A Preliminary Study of Applying Lean Six Sigma Methods to Machine Tool Measurement

Many manufacturers aim to increase their levels of high-quality production in order to improve their market competitiveness. Continuous improvement of maintenance strategies is a key factor to be capable of delivering high quality products and services on-time with minimal operating costs. However, the cost of maintaining quality is often perceived as a non-added-value task. Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the measurement procedures necessary to guarantee accuracy of production is a more complex task than many other maintenance functions and so deserves particular analysis. This paper investigates the feasibility of producing a concise yet effective framework that will provide a preliminary approach for integrating Lean and Six Sigma philosophies to the specific goal of reducing unnecessary downtime on manufacturing machines while maintaining its ability to machine to the required tolerance. The purpose of this study is to show how a Six Sigma infrastructure is used to investigate the root causes of complication occurring during the machine tool measurement. This work recognises issues of the uncertainty of data, and the measurement procedures in parallel with the main tools of Six Sigma’s Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control (DMAIC). The significance of this work is that machine tool accuracy is critical for high value manufacturing. Over-measuring the machine to ensure accuracy potentially reduces production volume. However, not measuring them or ignoring accuracy aspects possibly lead to production waste. This piece of work aims to present a lean guidance to lessen measurement uncertainties and optimise the machine tool benchmarking procedures, while adopting the DMAIC strategy to reduce unnecessary downtime

Statistical process control implementation in the food industry: A systematic review and implications for future research

This study is to illustrate a systematic review application in investigating common issues emerging from Statistical Process Control (SPC) implementation in the food industry. A total of 34 journal articles were rigorously selected from four databases and reviewed. The most common themes emerge in SPC implementation in the food industry is the benefits while the remaining themes are motivation, barriers and critical success factors (CSF). This review found that the evidence of SPC implementation in the food industry is beneficial; however, a lack of both awareness and guidelines relating to SPC implementation in the food industry has resulted in a slow adoption. This systematic review concluded that there is a crucial need for further research into the SPC deployment aspect addressing how to deploy SPC in the food industry in a systematic manner