Introducing Design for Six Sigma at SKF

Many companies are struggling with the implementation of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS). Most of the support in the literature is given on a tool-based level; while some articles treat organisational aspects, very little has been published on implementing DFSS from the initial steps and how to proceed with the implementation in a structured manner. This study presents how Svenska Kullagerfabriken (SKF) – the knowledge engineering company that offers solutions related to bearings and sealing – implements DFSS by shaping a Product Development Process (PDP) that reflects the most central DFSS aspects. In other words, DFSS gets integrated into the PDP, with the long-term vision of making it the common way to develop products. For this purpose, a new PDP has been created. The reasons for the implementation of DFSS and how it has been accomplished are presented in this study. The decision to integrate DFSS into the development process (as opposed to driving it via Six Sigma-like improvement projects) is discussed.