1. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING 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
IJCIET
© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijciet.asp
Journal Impact Factor (2012): 3.1861 (Calculated by GISI) IAEME
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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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2. 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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3. 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 Series1
2
1
0
Fig.2. Publication and Focus Country
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4. 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 8, 2012
4, 2011
2010 9, 2010
YEAR
7, 2009
2008 7, 2008
5, 2007
2006 5, 2006
4, 2005 Series1
2004 1, 2004
0, 2003
2002
0 2 4 6 8 10
Publication
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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