Creating strategic change more efficiently with a new Design for Six Sigma process

• Published in: Journal of change management Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 60 - 80
• Main Authors: De Feo, Joseph, Bar-El, Zion
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Henry Stewart Publications 01-03-2002; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Customer services; design; directed evolution; Evolution; Failure analysis; failure analysis and prediction; innovative thinking; inventive problem solving; Organizational change; Problem solving; Product design; Product development; Productivity; Quality control; Six Sigma; Strategic management
• ISSN: 1469-7017; 1479-1811
• DOI: 10.1080/714042521

Innovative Design for Six Sigma
TM
(I-DFSS) is a methodology that combines innovative thinking with the analytical tools used for design into a single process. The total endeavour provides one coordinated effort that reduces development and cycle time, targets zero-defect process delivery, and produces better results. This paper describes how two revolutionary methodologies - Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and the Ideation/TRIZ methodology (I-TRIZ) - have been integrated to ensure that new products are designed to meet Six Sigma levels and marketing plans. Use of this single, coordinated process synergises efforts to increase productivity in the product design process. It allows organisations to stimulate innovative thinking in solving difficult problems related to designing new products, services and processes; and to create the likely evolutionary successors of these products, services and processes. The paper begins by describing what can be achieved with the integrated process. This introduction is followed by detailed descriptions of the DFSS and I-TRIZ processes as they are used on a stand-alone basis, including case history examples. The paper then reviews the traditional Six Sigma methodology by describing the training and commitments required for successful results, and summarises benefits achieved by other organisations in a variety of applications.