A Practical Approach for Implementation of Six Sigma in a Small Manufacturing Enterprise

The Small Manufacturing Enterprise (SME) plays a vital role in the industrial development of any country. The importance of the SME sector is well recognized world over from its significant contribution in gratifying various socio-economic objectives, such as higher growth of employment, output, promotion of exports and fostering entrepreneurship. Small Manufacturing Enterprises have to simultaneously meet various customer demands related to delivery times, quality, production processes, equipment, safety, environmental concerns, workforce, etc. They must be driven by both effective and efficient management approaches and strategies to do so. One approach to improving the performance is to develop and implement Six Sigma methodology. However, a number of SMEs are failing to successfully implement such strategies. The SMEs have limitations like limited human resources and free cash to test these techniques in their industries. Through this paper, an endevaour is made to enable every one to understand Six Sigma does not rely on complex or confusing high tech statistical techniques but rather on tried and true methods and tools that have been around us for decades. Its efficacy has been justified in this paper through a case study. The case study is taken to demonstrate how Six Sigma methodologies can be harnessed to reduce the rejection level of Lever Control assembly. This case study was done at a Small Scale Indian industry;DMAIC procedure is applied to remove the causes of valuations among the Lever Control Assembly. In this paper enough emphasis is also given on the fundamentals of Six Sigma, so the paper can help the manufacturer in reducing the defects in the manufactured product to Six Sigma level.