Study Guide@lith
 

Linköping Institute of Technology

 
 
Valid for year : 2017
 
TMQU04 Six Sigma Quality, 6 ECTS credits.
/Six Sigma Quality/

For:   EM   I   Ii   IND   M   MEC  

 

Prel. scheduled hours: 50
Rec. self-study hours: 110

  Area of Education: Technology

Main field of studies: Industrial Engineering and Management

  Advancement level (G1, G2, A): A

Aim:
The course gives knowledge about organization, working methods and tools for process and product improvements using Six Sigma methodology. The essence of Six Sigma is to define and solve advanced problems using advanced statistical and qualitative methods, but doing so in a way that results and solutions are well supported by managers and employees in the organization and process being improved. The foundation is based on scientific method, but the project-oriented approach is design to fit in an engineering environment. After completing the course, the student is able to:
  • identify situations where Six Sigma methodology could give an important contribution to quality improvement with regard to product and process development within industrial and service contexts
  • identify which analysis methods is suitable to solve a given problem
  • carry out a Six Sigma project from defined problem and target to verified improvement according to the DMAIC process
  • use both qualitative evaluations and quantitative statistical analysis and improvement methods


Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered)
Required: Mathematical statistics, Quality Management and Engineering
Desired: Statistical Quality Control.


Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshhold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Supplementary courses:
Quality Management Course. May lead to Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Organisation:
The course is carried out as a Six Sigma-project according to the five phases of the DMAIC process. The theoretical elements of the course are covered in lectures, one-two per project phase. All work is done on a project basis, where max four students work in a team. All teams will get the same assignment but with different data to analyze, and hence different root causes. Each team carries out a project phase per week and will be coached/guided by a teacher once a week. Each phase ends with the submission, review and approval (if necessary after completion) of a new chapter in the project report. The project work is designed as a real project, the way it is carried out in industry or other companies using the Six Sigma process improvement methodology. Furthermore, a final project presentation in a so-called poster session in front of other students is conducted in the end of the course. A literature seminar is also conducted group wise.

Course contents:
Understanding of variation, Evolution of Six Sigma, the DMAIC roadmap for carrying out improvement projects as well as tools for the five phases:
  • DEFINE - Define problem and target (but not solution)
  • MEASURE - Collect facts and data (historical/real-time) and funnel the problem
  • ANALYZE - Find the hidden root causes with quantitative and qualitative methods
  • IMPROVE - Carry out robust and sustainable improvements
  • CONTROL - Document, train, measure and follow up and finally hand over


Course literature:
Magnusson, K., Kroslid, D. and Bergman, B. (2003) Six Sigma The Pragmatic Approach, Studentlitteratur
Brook, Q. (2010) Lean Six Sigma and Minitab: The Complete Toolbox Guide for All Lean Six Sigma Practitioners (3rd edition), OPEX Resources Ltd
Handouts and papers


Examination:
Project Work
Written test
5,5 ECTS
0,5 ECTS
 
Each team submits five report chapters (one per DMAIC phase), which together form the project report. These are graded according to U,3,4,5 based on how well the work was done by the group and how much supervision and completion they needed. Everyone in the group gets the same average grade. The individual grades may be changed based on an individual written test. The main focus is on solving the problem in the group under as close to real circumstances as possible why the group's performance is the main basis for grading.



Course language is English.
Department offering the course: IEI.
Director of Studies: Björn Oskarsson
Examiner: Peter Cronemyr
Link to the course homepage at the department


Course Syllabus in Swedish

Linköping Institute of Technology

 


Contact: TFK , val@tfk.liu.se
Last updated: 02/05/2017