Applying P-Diagram in Product Development Process: An Approach towards Design for Six Sigma

Abstract

Successful business enterprises are to a great extent determined by strong sales and overall low operational cost; as a result, improving quality and reducing cost have been one of the important tasks for any business enterprise. These will help in achieving high quality products at reasonable price. Thus, due to the effectiveness ofSix Sigmain improving quality and reducing cost, it has become an excellent initiative that is gaining momentum in the business world. However, academics have conducted little research regarding this phenomenon, especially on it applicability in manufacturing industries. Therefore, this paper seeks the knowledge regarding howP-Diagram Model(Taguchi Method) can be applied in product development stage to achieve Design for Six Sigma (DFSS). The paper illuminates on “Process” as the basic unit for Six Sigma and how production process can be enhanced usingP-diagram. Following this understanding, the paper demonstrates how P-diagram can be applied in conceptualizing and developing product ideas that put into consideration users intent (User-centred design), reduce variations and thus, lower the risk of product failing.

A framework for a structured problem-solving approach with experimental design as the focus for industrial processing environment

“…Six Sigma is a management strategy, according to [11] which focuses on improving product quality and streamlining production processes. According to [14] and [15] it is a philosophy, with the business goal of increasing process capability, decreasing process variability, and with the main goal of removing defects from business processes]. It is a framework for process quality improvements according to [12]; a management methodology according to [32], with the goal increase process predictability by eliminating defects in order to improve and sustain quality, eliminate waste and achieve sustainable profits.…”

“…This shows that Six Sigma is customer focused through process analytics. Both [20] and [15] describe a new extension of Six Sigma that is Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), which is a strategy with the goal of designing or re-designing a product from the beginning of the process life cycle to develop optimized designs. This extension of SS fits well within the concepts of DOE for experimental design.…”

The Role of Machine Learning and Design of Experiments in the Advancement of Biomaterial and Tissue Engineering Research

“…Taguchi designs involve the optimisation of a process that has several control factors which directly affect the output target or desired value. These variables can be classified into inputs (M), noise factors (Z), design parameters (X) and outputs (Y), as illustrated in the P-diagram in Figure 4 [ 31 ]. The Taguchi design employed will depend on the objectives of the experiment, e.g., two-level Taguchi designs can be used for screening, and other methods can be used for a more detailed investigation of a process [ 32 ].…”