THE ROLE OF APPLYING SIX SIGMA METHOD FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

Abstract

The Jordanian Malaysian Factory located in Khartoum, Sudan was chosen for my Case Study due to its location, availability of data and usefulness for such a study. The Jordanian Malaysian Factory has some deficiencies, and we have applied Six Sigma methods and tools to help locate the main problems. We examined the single bed production process, since this is the main product they produce and sell. Six Sigma is a powerful tool that can transform companies by detecting waste and costs, and it can build up profits while concentrating on the real needs and requirements of the customer (the critical-to-quality factor). Six Sigma is a philosophy, a set of methods and a set of statistical tools. It can change a company’s culture to a quality culture, thus making sustained and long-term improvements. Six Sigma was chosen due to its successes at top companies like General Electric, Allied Signal, Motorola and others. It boosted their productivity and increased profits while decreasing waste. Six Sigma has proven that it can lead to effectiveness, efficiency and profits. With this in mind, we gathered various data from the Jordanian Malaysian Factory’s production reports, other reports, customer questionnaires and so forth. We applied Six Sigma and analyzed the data. It was first thought that waste was due to mismanagement or due to slowness of workers or other related problems. Results revealed that the main problem is late delivery, and this occurred during the production process. This included man power, raw materials, machines and methods. It was recommended to the Jordanian Malaysian Factory to bring in the support of a Champion and to train staff and employees in Six Sigma methods and tools. We advise them to change to a Six Sigma culture that centers on quality and efficiency. We also recommend they think of changing suppliers, since the lateness of raw materials is a major factor in the production process. The Jordanian Malaysian Factory has already begun to implement and to plan changes to its system and company culture.