Industrial application of Six Sigma to increase the OEE of a production line

This thesis is an industrial application of Six Sigma to enhance the OEE of a production line. It includes the review of literature about Six Sigma, a case study, and four interviews to managers who dealt with Six Sigma. Six Sigma is a flexible method for improved process output performance and enhanced business leadership. It provides a set of tools to solve problems through projects that follow the DMAIC cycle: definition of the problem and the goal, measurement of the output, analysis of the problem’s causes, improvement of the process, and sustainability control of the enhanced process. The customer plays an important role as his requirements are the starting point for definition of goals. The application of Six Sigma companywide will enhance decision making thanks to the creation of a closed-loop feedback system of information. The support and commitment by management and the collaboration among the project’s team members are fundamental for success. Moreover, Six Sigma requires to tailor the provided tools to the company’s context to maximize their effectiveness. The object of analysis of Six Sigma is the process, i.e., where products are manufactured, and defects generated. In case the enhancement of the process addresses habits and routines of workers, the effort needed to bring and sustain change increases. Six Sigma created a standard for quality assessment throughout the market that all companies recognize. The push toward adopting the Six Sigma approach primarily comes from the market through procurement contracts. Starting from the CEO, the organization must identify the correct KPIs and create a relevant process measurement system. The commitment passes from management to the project manager and eventually becomes the daily culture of all employees and workers.