Developing lean six sigma framework for use in small and medium enterprises

Previous researches in manufacturing operations concluded that the best opportunities for
improvement are achieved when the manufacturing system is designed from the top down and from
customer to the supplier. The most effective manufacturing system designs is the one that consider the
whole product value stream rather than just shop-floor activities. Although the lean deployment is a
critical success factor, yet there is no holistic or a step by step approach to the deployment process.
The lack of a framework that provides a systematic practical approach to lean implementation is
increasingly becoming an issue for manufacturing organisations and professionals. This paper
presents an attempt to develop a framework that can be used to develop a lean manufacturing system
in small and medium enterprises (SME). The framework is based on lean six sigma principles of
efficiency, speed, reduced waste and high quality.

Citation:
Shamou, M, Saidpour, H and Perryman, R. (2010) ‘Developing lean six sigma framework for use in small and medium enterprises.’, Proceedings of Advances in Computing and Technology, (AC&T) The School of Computing and Technology 5th Annual Conference, University of East London, pp.218-227..