International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

G AND ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET)

ISSN 0976 6308 (Print) ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), pp. 369-372 IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijciet.asp Journal Impact Factor (2012): 3.1861 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com

IJCIET
IAEME

LEAN SIX SIGMA IN CONSTRUCTION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Hemant Patil1 and Prof.Sunil Desale2 1 Post Graduation Student,2Associate Professor, SSVPS BSD College of Engineering, Dhule Author for correspondence Email: hemantpatil_hemantpatil@yahoo.co.in Or hcp.nmims@gmail.com ABSTRACT Lean six sigma in construction was found to be rigorously studies most of the literature has focused on the application of six sigma applied in the variety of fields hence the main aim of this paper is to conduct rigorous review and to identify the potential aspects of their application in Indian construction management. In this paper efforts are made to establish complete analysis of 51 papers with data base search from major publishers including Science Direct, Emerald and Google Scholars. This paper reviews the published literature related to six sigma or lean six sigma in construction from start to date. The statistical calculation consist of the response from the year 2003 up to 2012 they include number of publications in the respective years and after a pilot study a sample of 51 Papers were considered and statics is done .The paper includes the results from different perspectives such as implementation of Lean six sigma, Focus Area, Focus Country and Year Wise Publications. The review of literature found that six sigma or Lean Six Sigma in construction industry is mostly implemented in quality and process improvement area. Research on LSS is on elementary stage. Lean Six sigma framework in construction organizations is needed. Key Words: Lean Six Sigma and Six sigma. 1. INTRODUCTION Tomkins (1997) defines Six Sigma to be a program aimed at the near-elimination of defects from every product, process and transaction. Harry (1998) defines Six Sigma to be a strategic initiative to boost profitability, increase market share and improve customer satisfaction through statistical tools that can lead to breakthrough quantum gains in quality. Six Sigma was launched by Motorola in 1987 [1]. As a result of consulting experiences with Six Sigma in Korea, the author (Park et. al., 1999) believes that Six Sigma is a new strategic paradigm of management innovation for company survival in this 21st century, which implies three things:
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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

statistical measurement, management strategy and quality culture. It tells us how good our products, services and processes really are through statistical measurement of quality level. It is a new management strategy under leadership of top-level management to create quality innovation and total customer satisfaction. It is also a quality culture. It provides a means of doing things right the first time and to work smarter by using data information. It also provides an atmosphere for solving many CTQ (critical-to-quality) problems through team efforts. CTQ could be a critical process/product result characteristic to quality, or a critical reason to quality characteristic [1]. 2. METHODOLOGY Approach was adopted to explore the published literature regarding six sigma or lean six sigma in construction. It involved searches from the well known research databases like, Emerald, Google scholar and Science direct. The literature search is limited to the English language only. I found total 51 articles highly related with six sigma in construction. The criteria of selection of the papers includes that the publication must have LSS, Lean and six sigma or six sigma in construction combined applied either as a case study or described as theory. The search years included from 2003 to December 2011. The search results were sorted out as area focused, year wise publications and country wise research on lean six sigma. The data collected, analyzed and the results are presented in graphical [2]. 3. RESULTS Out of total 51 Lean Six Sigma in construction relevant found research publications there are 05(10%) papers are case study based while 08 (16) % papers are theory based. Figure 1 shows the focus area of implementation of LSS mainly has been quality & Process improvement. The organization adopted LSS either to get better their processes or modify them to increase efficiency and productivity. Literature Review had discussed process improvement methods used in construction industry and analyzed the basic features and principles of Six Sigma. Interviews were conducted about the basic principles of Six Sigma and Quality Concept. Interviewers are a Project Manager, Field and Cost Engineer. The approach of the interview to Six Sigma is based on quality, performance and management aspects. This paper reviews some related literatures to describe methodology, implementation and future researches. Papers summaries four issues within the sub-category of the initial Six Sigma concepts: basic concept, DMAIC, DFSS and deployment. Then, some sectors that benefit from the implementation of Six Sigma are listed out, and the key factors influencing the successful Six Sigma project implementation are identified. This paper proposes an initial draft of guidelines to fit design methods based on lean construction principles. It results into innovative design procedures that can illustrate the application of lean thinking design for production efficiency improvement in building construction companies. The main concepts related to lean construction are discussed under design and production points of view as well as the optimal managerial relations among building design procedures and production activities. An experience of using innovative design methods is described as a practical reference.
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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Series1

Fig.1. Publication and Focus Area Figure 2 shows that LSS or six sigma researches is indifference to developed and developing countries. USA is leader in LSS related research following is the China and afterwards UK and Gulf country stand on same position. Remaining category in the fig. includes different other countries with comparatively less research on Lean Six Sigma.

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Series1

Fig.2. Publication and Focus Country

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 6308 (Print), ISSN 0976 6316(Online) Volume 3, Issue 2, July- December (2012), IAEME

Figure 3 shows that the research and implementation on Lean Six Sigma in publication started at 2003.Afterward research is continuously increasing as organization know better about the successful stories of world top performing construction organization using Lean six sigma. Much research has been done in 2010 nearly 09 publications.

Publications & Year

2014 2012 YEAR 2010 2008 2006 2004 2002 0 0, 2003 1, 2004 2 4 Publication 4, 2005 4, 2011 5, 2007 5, 2006 7, 2009 7, 2008 8, 2012 9, 2010

Series1

10

Fig.3. Publication and Year

LSS or Six Sigma has been proved quite effective in construction organization. But there is need to explore more this sector for theory evolution regarding the implementation of LSS in construction organization. 4. CONCLUSION In current years there has been a lot of attention in the application of Six Sigma principles. Several papers have been presented on this subject substantiating the importance of adopting Six Sigma to improve process performance. This research is carried out to identify the latest trends, focus area in construction, year wise publications and country wise publications of Six Sigma in construction with other concepts by carrying out a systematic, thematic literature review. REFRENCES 1. Sung H. Park, Six Sigma for Quality and Productive Promotion, Published by the Asian Productivity Organization, 2003, ISBN: 92-833-1722-X, 1-2p. 2. Qun Zhang (Corresponding Author), Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Aamir Obaid Khattak, Xiaoning Zhu and Mahmood Hassan, Lean Six Sigma: Literature Review, IJCRB, February 2012 Vol.3, No 10, 599-605p

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