Approaches to Generate and Prepare Lean Six Sigma Projects : Taking the Training-Center of a Car Manufacturer as an Example

Lean Six Sigma is a combination of the two most widespread concepts to organize continuousimprovement. One of the most critical steps in deploying Lean Six Sigma is theidentication and selection of the right projects together with answering the question whichare the right projects. So far, no comprehensive process to identify and prepare Lean SixSigma projects can be found in literature. This thesis attempts to close the gap by providinga general framework of project preparation. The framework includes the identicationof suitable projects, their specication and the selection of a set of right projects alignedwith company strategy.In order to achieve this, a review of published literature with two objectives is executed.Firstly, identify possible success factors for Lean Six Sigma projects and secondly, investigateframeworks to structure the process of preparing said projects. These two resultsare integrated into a common process. Subsequently, this process is customized to theorganizational environment of a car manufacturer to display the adaptations necessary toapply the framework in practice. To achieve this, an empirical study was executed in orderto prove which success factors and preparation steps are relevant for project preparationin this specic company.The review of published literature yields a combination of the two frameworks stage-gateand portfolio management. This combination provides a structure with three quality gatesfor the up-front work, which is needed in order to guarantee a high project preparationquality. By including business benets and feasibility criteria into the process, measuresfor alignment with company strategy and the risk entailed in the projects are created.Subsequently. the projects are displayed with the help of a portfolio matrix to support thedecision making process.