Continuous Improvement

Recommended Prerequisites

Some knowledge about Operations Management are recommended before attending this course

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodologies applied are the following:

Expositive. Active, through the presentation and discussion of practical works, through the execution of practical exercises, through the analysis and discussion of case studies and through the reading of selected texts. Collaborative, through the execution of works developed in group.

Learning Outcomes

The objective of this module is to introduce the participants to the principles of Lean and Six Sigma thinking, tools and techniques of Lean and Six Sigma and understand the wider implications of the broader strategic issues of organisation management and how they impact on continuous improvement programme. On completion of the module the participants should be able to understand the theory and practical application of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies within a process improvement framework. Particularly, at the end of the semester students should: (1) Assess suitability of main principles, concepts, tools and techniques of Lean and Six Sigma in both manufacturing and service context, (2) Apply the methodology of Lean Six Sigma to solve real world problems and (3) Evaluate the Critical Success Factors and fundamental barriers in the execution of both Lean Six Sigma initiatives.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.             Introduction to Lean Thinking

2.             Basic Overview of Lean Tools and Techniques

3.             Lean Metrics

4.             Implementation – Preparation and Team Building

5.             Staying Lean – Sustainability issues

6.             Introduction to Lean Six Sigma as a problem solving methodology

7.             Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques – An Overview

8.             Six Sigma Metrics

9.             Project Selection

10.           Lean Six Sigma Case Studies

Head Lecturer(s)

Luís Miguel Domingues Fernandes Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 50.0%
Project: 50.0%

Bibliography

Womack, J. and Jones, D., Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation, Simon and Schuster UK Ltd, 2003

Shingo, S., A Study of the Toyota Production System from an Industrial Engineering Viewpoint, Cambridge, MA: Productivity Press, 1989.

Suzaki, K., Lean: Metodologias Kaizen para a melhoria contínua, LeanOp Press, 2010.

Pande, P., Neuman, R., Cavanagh, R., The Six Sigma Way: How GE, Motorola, and Other Top Companies are Honing Their Performance, McGraw-Hill, 2000

Jiju, A., Kumar, A. and Banuelas, R., World Class Applications of Six Sigma: Real World Examples of Success, Elsevier, 2006