Three methodologies are associated with production optimisation, namely, Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean and Six Sigma – and each boasts with a number of success stories. This dissertation addresses the possibility of implementing all three these methodologies in a specific sequence at an organisation and also sets out to determine the impact of this implementation. A literature survey was conducted on all three stand-alone methodologies as well as on the combined methodology, which is called the Theory of Constrains Lean Six Sigma (TLS). TLS literature suggests that TOC should be implemented first with a view to identify the constraint in an organisation. Lean implementation should follow in order to eliminate any waste in the organisation. Lastly, Six Sigma should be implemented to optimise the process variability. TOC literature explains that The Goal of any organisation is to make money. All other objectives are only the means of achieving The Goal. The literature further indicates that the constraint in any organisation determines the drumbeat, and that this constraint should be managed by means of the Drum-Buffer-Rope methodology. Lean literature points towards 14 Management Principles by means of which an organisation should be managed in order to become a Lean organisation, while Six Sigma literature is concerned with the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control) methodology used for improvement projects and the belt system that is used to manage these improvement projects. Jonker Sailplanes, a sailplanes manufacturer in Potchefstroom, South Africa, was used as a case study for the implementation of TLS. A description is given of the processes and procedures that were followed before and after the implementation of TLS. The TLS methodology had to be adapted in order to meet the specific needs of Jonker Sailplanes into an adapted 14-step TLS implementation plan. After implementing TOC and Lean at Jonker Sailplanes, it was found that the organisation was not ready for the transition from Lean projects to Six Sigma projects. The implementation of Six Sigma was therefore referred for future research. One of the most significant findings of the current study was the very positive impact that the implementation of TLS had on the organisation: the production tempo (throughput) of the organisation has increased while the operating expenses per aircraft have decreased. This confirms that the profit per aircraft has increased. A critical evaluation of the implementation of the TLS methodology can therefore maintain that the implementation of TLS at Jonker Sailplanes was a success since the production tempo (throughput) and the organisational profit were increased and the implementation of the methodology was done with relative ease. In terms of interpreting results it was also necessary to set out how Jonker Sailplanes proceeded from a prototyping environment to a production setup, and how specifically identifying the constraint helped to achieve this transition. Furthermore, is it argued that when Lean is implemented before TOC, this could move the organisation away from The Goal, which is to make money. The interpretation of findings suggests that the procedure followed at Jonker Sailplanes was the most appropriate one. Finally, recommendations are made for future studies in terms of how to further improve the impact of the TLS implementation at Jonker Sailplanes. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Three methodologies are associated with production optimisation, namely, Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean and Six Sigma – and each boasts with a number of success stories. This dissertation addresses the possibility of implementing all three these methodologies in a specific sequence at an organisation and also sets out to determine the impact of this implementation. A literature survey was conducted on all three stand-alone methodologies as well as on the combined methodology, which is called the Theory of Constrains Lean Six Sigma (TLS). TLS literature suggests that TOC should be implemented first with a view to identify the constraint in an organisation. Lean implementation should follow in order to eliminate any waste in the organisation. Lastly, Six Sigma should be implemented to optimise the process variability. TOC literature explains that The Goal of any organisation is to make money. All other objectives are only the means of achieving The Goal. The literature further indicates that the constraint in any organisation determines the drumbeat, and that this constraint should be managed by means of the Drum-Buffer-Rope methodology. Lean literature points towards 14 Management Principles by means of which an organisation should be managed in order to become a Lean organisation, while Six Sigma literature is concerned with the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control) methodology used for improvement projects and the belt system that is used to manage these improvement projects. Jonker Sailplanes, a sailplanes manufacturer in Potchefstroom, South Africa, was used as a case study for the implementation of TLS. A description is given of the processes and procedures that were followed before and after the implementation of TLS. The TLS methodology had to be adapted in order to meet the specific needs of Jonker Sailplanes into an adapted 14-step TLS implementation plan. After implementing TOC and Lean at Jonker Sailplanes, it was found that the organisation was not ready for the transition from Lean projects to Six Sigma projects. The implementation of Six Sigma was therefore referred for future research. One of the most significant findings of the current study was the very positive impact that the implementation of TLS had on the organisation: the production tempo (throughput) of the organisation has increased while the operating expenses per aircraft have decreased. This confirms that the profit per aircraft has increased. A critical evaluation of the implementation of the TLS methodology can therefore maintain that the implementation of TLS at Jonker Sailplanes was a success since the production tempo (throughput) and the organisational profit were increased and the implementation of the methodology was done with relative ease. In terms of interpreting results it was also necessary to set out how Jonker Sailplanes proceeded from a prototyping environment to a production setup, and how specifically identifying the constraint helped to achieve this transition. Furthermore, is it argued that when Lean is implemented before TOC, this could move the organisation away from The Goal, which is to make money. The interpretation of findings suggests that the procedure followed at Jonker Sailplanes was the most appropriate one. Finally, recommendations are made for future studies in terms of how to further improve the impact of the TLS implementation at Jonker Sailplanes. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de diagnóstico e análise da implantação de projetos Seis Sigma em empresas que operam em ambientes de negócio dinâmicos. Estas empresas desenvolvem produtos com alta complexidade tecnológica e demanda variável, o que requer constantes alterações e adaptações no ambiente produtivo. Por consequência, o Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade e seus programas também devem ser capazes de adaptarem-se a essas mudanças. Sendo assim, o objetivo principal desta dissertação é estabelecer diretrizes de melhoria no programa Seis Sigma, propondo um modelo de reavaliação para sedimentar este programa como parte da cultura de solução de problemas em uma empresa do setor de equipamentos para o agronegócio. Esta pesquisa foi desdobrada em dois artigos; no primeiro, foram estabelecidas premissas baseadas numa revisão preliminar da literatura, seguida de um diagnóstico dos principais fatores críticos de sucesso para consecução do programa Seis Sigma. Com estas informações, os resultados do diagnóstico foram compilados em categorias de problemas e comparados com as soluções apresentadas na literatura, tornando possível o estabelecimento das diretrizes de melhoria nos projetos Seis Sigma para o caso selecionado. No segundo artigo, foi realizada uma análise da literatura a respeito da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, de projetos tradicionais e do gerenciamento ágil de projetos. Em seguida, foram identificados os principais problemas dos projetos Seis Sigma encontrados no estudo de caso. Com base nas soluções encontradas na literatura, foi possível definir um modelo de revisão da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, para a empresa em estudo, visando minimizar ou eliminar os problemas encontrados. / This paper presents a proposal of diagnostic and evaluation for an implementation analysis of Six Sigma projects in companies included in a dynamic business environment. These companies develop high technological complexity and variable demand products, which requires constant operations and production changes and adaptations. Consequently the Quality Management System and its programs should be also capable to adapt to those changes. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation is to establish improvement guidelines on Six Sigma program by proposing a reevaluation model to settle this program as part of the problem resolution culture in an agribusiness equipment company. The study is deployed in two articles. The first article establish guidelines based on a preliminary literature review, followed by a diagnostic about the main critical success factors to implement Six Sigma programs in a selected case. With this information, the diagnostic results were compiled in problems categories and compared with literature available solutions, making it possible to establish guidelines to improve Six Sigma projects for the selected case. The second article presents a literature analysis about the implementation of Six Sigma projects, traditional projects and Agile projects management. After that, the Six Sigma main problems found in the case study were identified. Based on solutions found in the literature, it was possible to define a Six Sigma project analysis and implementation model for this case, in order to minimize or eliminate the identified problems.

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de diagnóstico e análise da implantação de projetos Seis Sigma em empresas que operam em ambientes de negócio dinâmicos. Estas empresas desenvolvem produtos com alta complexidade tecnológica e demanda variável, o que requer constantes alterações e adaptações no ambiente produtivo. Por consequência, o Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade e seus programas também devem ser capazes de adaptarem-se a essas mudanças. Sendo assim, o objetivo principal desta dissertação é estabelecer diretrizes de melhoria no programa Seis Sigma, propondo um modelo de reavaliação para sedimentar este programa como parte da cultura de solução de problemas em uma empresa do setor de equipamentos para o agronegócio. Esta pesquisa foi desdobrada em dois artigos; no primeiro, foram estabelecidas premissas baseadas numa revisão preliminar da literatura, seguida de um diagnóstico dos principais fatores críticos de sucesso para consecução do programa Seis Sigma. Com estas informações, os resultados do diagnóstico foram compilados em categorias de problemas e comparados com as soluções apresentadas na literatura, tornando possível o estabelecimento das diretrizes de melhoria nos projetos Seis Sigma para o caso selecionado. No segundo artigo, foi realizada uma análise da literatura a respeito da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, de projetos tradicionais e do gerenciamento ágil de projetos. Em seguida, foram identificados os principais problemas dos projetos Seis Sigma encontrados no estudo de caso. Com base nas soluções encontradas na literatura, foi possível definir um modelo de revisão da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, para a empresa em estudo, visando minimizar ou eliminar os problemas encontrados. / This paper presents a proposal of diagnostic and evaluation for an implementation analysis of Six Sigma projects in companies included in a dynamic business environment. These companies develop high technological complexity and variable demand products, which requires constant operations and production changes and adaptations. Consequently the Quality Management System and its programs should be also capable to adapt to those changes. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation is to establish improvement guidelines on Six Sigma program by proposing a reevaluation model to settle this program as part of the problem resolution culture in an agribusiness equipment company. The study is deployed in two articles. The first article establish guidelines based on a preliminary literature review, followed by a diagnostic about the main critical success factors to implement Six Sigma programs in a selected case. With this information, the diagnostic results were compiled in problems categories and compared with literature available solutions, making it possible to establish guidelines to improve Six Sigma projects for the selected case. The second article presents a literature analysis about the implementation of Six Sigma projects, traditional projects and Agile projects management. After that, the Six Sigma main problems found in the case study were identified. Based on solutions found in the literature, it was possible to define a Six Sigma project analysis and implementation model for this case, in order to minimize or eliminate the identified problems.

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de diagnóstico e análise da implantação de projetos Seis Sigma em empresas que operam em ambientes de negócio dinâmicos. Estas empresas desenvolvem produtos com alta complexidade tecnológica e demanda variável, o que requer constantes alterações e adaptações no ambiente produtivo. Por consequência, o Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade e seus programas também devem ser capazes de adaptarem-se a essas mudanças. Sendo assim, o objetivo principal desta dissertação é estabelecer diretrizes de melhoria no programa Seis Sigma, propondo um modelo de reavaliação para sedimentar este programa como parte da cultura de solução de problemas em uma empresa do setor de equipamentos para o agronegócio. Esta pesquisa foi desdobrada em dois artigos; no primeiro, foram estabelecidas premissas baseadas numa revisão preliminar da literatura, seguida de um diagnóstico dos principais fatores críticos de sucesso para consecução do programa Seis Sigma. Com estas informações, os resultados do diagnóstico foram compilados em categorias de problemas e comparados com as soluções apresentadas na literatura, tornando possível o estabelecimento das diretrizes de melhoria nos projetos Seis Sigma para o caso selecionado. No segundo artigo, foi realizada uma análise da literatura a respeito da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, de projetos tradicionais e do gerenciamento ágil de projetos. Em seguida, foram identificados os principais problemas dos projetos Seis Sigma encontrados no estudo de caso. Com base nas soluções encontradas na literatura, foi possível definir um modelo de revisão da implementação de projetos Seis Sigma, para a empresa em estudo, visando minimizar ou eliminar os problemas encontrados. / This paper presents a proposal of diagnostic and evaluation for an implementation analysis of Six Sigma projects in companies included in a dynamic business environment. These companies develop high technological complexity and variable demand products, which requires constant operations and production changes and adaptations. Consequently the Quality Management System and its programs should be also capable to adapt to those changes. Thus, the main objective of this dissertation is to establish improvement guidelines on Six Sigma program by proposing a reevaluation model to settle this program as part of the problem resolution culture in an agribusiness equipment company. The study is deployed in two articles. The first article establish guidelines based on a preliminary literature review, followed by a diagnostic about the main critical success factors to implement Six Sigma programs in a selected case. With this information, the diagnostic results were compiled in problems categories and compared with literature available solutions, making it possible to establish guidelines to improve Six Sigma projects for the selected case. The second article presents a literature analysis about the implementation of Six Sigma projects, traditional projects and Agile projects management. After that, the Six Sigma main problems found in the case study were identified. Based on solutions found in the literature, it was possible to define a Six Sigma project analysis and implementation model for this case, in order to minimize or eliminate the identified problems.

This thesis aims at investigating the level of service at departure area of KKIA. The study further measures the perceived quality of service and passenger satisfaction in term of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy by using five steps of lean six sigma (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control). The study aims to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of using a lean six-sigma managerial approach to the departure area of KKIA to enhance the level of service (LOS) and customer satisfaction. The passenger flow through the airport is used to measure the quality of services. Existing studies that discuss lean six-sigma implementation in airports were evaluated. Data was collected about KKIA departure area and its LOS both before and after the lean six-sigma implementation. Additionally, a SERVQUAL questionnaire was used to evaluate pre- and post-implementation review. The questionnaire features easy-to-collect data to measuring the perceived quality of service and evaluate passenger satisfaction with the LOS in KKIA. Before the study concepts of LOS and Lean was unheard within the airport community. Initial evaluation show poor customer service and many delays (waste) within the departure are at KKIA. During the study a growing awareness of Lean and LOS showed improvements in the customers’ experience, e.g, removing the shop at the entrance, improving flow thought the airport. Concluding the study, there was a total reduction in waiting from 54.74 minutes to 34.87 minutes (35.7% reduction). Also the LOS on the IATA Performance Standard went from E (Inadequate) to C (Good). This is improvement, excellent but without continuous improvements the Airport’s LOS will reduce back as passenger numbers grow from 16 million passengers per year (up from 9.8 million in 2004), to an expected 25 million by 2025. Interesting different cultural approaches to lean management became evident during the study when compared to other implementations in Europe to the Middle East. Cultural difference will always affected the reliability of the results. However, by considering these cultural effects in answering questions and interviews, the lean implementation was still successful. As culture changes are ongoing, evaluation of the situation at KKIA is required for ongoing improvements. Best-practice for the continued improvement of ongoing lean management is suggested for the departure area at KKIA. These key strategies and best-practice approaches are useful to future implementations at other airports.

A l’image des grands groupes, les PME souhaitent, elles aussi, profiter des méthodes modernes de management pour améliorer leurs processus, leurs performances et leur compétitivité. L’intérêt du secteur des PME se porte sur les éléments du concept Lean Six Sigma qui leur semblent appropriés pour réaliser ces objectifs. Après avoir constaté une lacune dans les recherches sur ce sujet et une lacune méthodologique concernant l’implémentation du LSS dans les PME, nous proposons une méthodologie de conception, d’application et de contrôle du LSS pour ces PME, que nous avons appelée LSS Plutus. Elle est dédiée aux PME de la production et elle prend en compte leur spécificité. Dans ce but, nous avons restreint la boîte à outils traditionnelle du LSS utilisée dans les grands groupes. Nous avons également créé deux variantes pour mettre en œuvre notre méthodologie qui correspondent aux besoins, capacités et maturités différents des PME. Nous avons élaboré des indicateurs, des outils, ainsi qu’un guide d’application de la méthode LSS pour les PME de la production et sa version informatique en TIBCO. Nous avons décidé de renforcer l’efficience des améliorations, en déployant les actions de planification, de standardisation et de pérennisation des changements. Dans ce but, nous proposons de modifier les critères du Modèle d’Excellence E.F.Q.M. pour qu’elles puissent prendre en compte les conditions de fonctionnement de la méthode LSS dans les PME. La méthodologie proposée a été vérifiée dans deux PME de la production en Pologne et en France, ce qui a confirmé son utilité et son efficacité en termes d’amélioration des performances et de développement des organisations / As well as the large companies, also the small and medium-sized enterprises desire to take advantage of modern management methods to improve their process, their performances and competitiveness. The interest of the SMEs is focused on the elements of the Lean Six Sigma concept that seem to be appropriate to achieve these goals. As we have identified a gap in the research on this topic and a methodological gap about the LSS implementation in the small and medium companies, we propose a methodology that we called LSS Plutus to design, apply and control Lean Six Sigma in the SMEs. It is dedicated to the small and medium production enterprises and it takes into account their specificity. For this purpose, we have limited the traditional LSS toolbox used by the large companies. We have also created two variants to apply our methodology according to the different needs, capacities and maturities of the SMEs. We have developed indicators, tools, as well as a practical guide for applying the LSS for the production SMEs and its computerized version in TIBCO. To enhance the efficiency of the improvements, we have deployed the planning, standardization and sustainability of the changes. For this purpose, we propose to modify the criteria of the EFQM Excellence Model in order to adapt it to the operating conditions of the Lean Six Sigma method in the SMEs. The proposed methodology has been verified in two production SMEs in Poland and in France that confirmed its utility and effectiveness in terms of performance improvement and organizational development

In a theoretical part of this work there is introduced a general view on logistics and its development, than a view on creating value for customer, basics of lean production, lean thinking and following methods as Six Sigma and Value Stream Mapping. At the end of the theoretical part there is mentioned outsourcing of logistics services and view on relationship between logistics provider and a client. In a practical part there is introduced a project of in-plant logistics optimalization in a factory producing steel pannels for MINI Cooper production. At the beginning there is introduced the factory itself, logistics services provider and a background of the project birth. Than there is a step by step description of a work on the project respecting a DMAIC methodology, it means that it's a classical example of a Six Sigma project using a Value stream mapping tool.

The master thesis is focused on efficiency evaluation of company IN-EKO TEAM, s. r. o. The theoretical part contains the relevant information from professional publications, basic concepts are explained here and models supporting business management, business process modeling models, and models emphasizing self-evaluation are presented. The second part is an efficiency evaluation by using the selected START Plus model. The key part is the suggestion part in which measures will be proposed to improve the efficiency of examined subject.

The dissertation deals point at issue of nonconforming components in CCI CR, Ltd., Special focus is on errors in machine cutting and in marking components, which lead to discrepancy of components with manufacturing documentation. The goal of dissertation is star-up a remedial process, which will reduce defective components. The result will be tested by the Six Sigma methodology.