MMP6130MTP1SP2015 1 
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
GRADUATE SCHOOL
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN MANUFACTURING
MMP 6130 – SIX SIGMA
Minor Term Paper Assignment No. 1 (Edgar Torres, Ph.D.)
I. Instructions for First Minor Term Paper Assignment: Answer questions below in not more than five (5) pages. This term paper is due on April 20, 2015. You can deliver your assignments to me during our April 20th class meeting.
II. Article: Nave, D. How to Compare Six Sigma, Lean and the Theory of Constraints. Quality Progress. March 2002, Pages 73-78.
III. Lectures: Week 2 & 3.
IV. Questions:
1. Article Question: According to the author’s standpoint, describe what are the differences between theory/application/focus factors when comparing six sigma, lean and the theory of constraints. Please elaborate your answer without writing article sentences, use your own words and demonstrate a comprehensive analysis.
2. Article Question:
i. What factors are critical when choosing the right improvement strategy?
3. Lecture Questions:
i. The six sigma methodology can be described in five (5) key phases, list and describe each of the phases. ii. You are hired as a Six Sigma Black Belt of a Biotech company. Your company just went through a product recall after critical defects were reported in several product complaints. A preliminary investigation showed that the source of defect is related to common cause variation of the process, also that the current process has a 31% defective rate. Your first assignment consists in evaluating if the company should implement six sigma as a “business strategy” or as a “program”. Answer the following questions:
1. Indicate your process current sigma level (current baseline) and short term CpK, what would be your sigma level and short term CpK goal.
2. Provide your recommended strategy, “six sigma business strategy vs. six sigma program” and provide selection rationale.
3. What selling strategy will you use to get executive management buy-in?
GRADUATE SCHOOL
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN MANUFACTURING
MMP 6130 – SIX SIGMA
Minor Term Paper Assignment No. 1 (Edgar Torres, Ph.D.)
I. Instructions for First Minor Term Paper Assignment: Answer questions below in not more than five (5) pages. This term paper is due on April 20, 2015. You can deliver your assignments to me during our April 20th class meeting.
II. Article: Nave, D. How to Compare Six Sigma, Lean and the Theory of Constraints. Quality Progress. March 2002, Pages 73-78.
III. Lectures: Week 2 & 3.
IV. Questions:
1. Article Question: According to the author’s standpoint, describe what are the differences between theory/application/focus factors when comparing six sigma, lean and the theory of constraints. Please elaborate your answer without writing article sentences, use your own words and demonstrate a comprehensive analysis.
2. Article Question:
i. What factors are critical when choosing the right improvement strategy?
3. Lecture Questions:
i. The six sigma methodology can be described in five (5) key phases, list and describe each of the phases. ii. You are hired as a Six Sigma Black Belt of a Biotech company. Your company just went through a product recall after critical defects were reported in several product complaints. A preliminary investigation showed that the source of defect is related to common cause variation of the process, also that the current process has a 31% defective rate. Your first assignment consists in evaluating if the company should implement six sigma as a “business strategy” or as a “program”. Answer the following questions:
1. Indicate your process current sigma level (current baseline) and short term CpK, what would be your sigma level and short term CpK goal.
2. Provide your recommended strategy, “six sigma business strategy vs. six sigma program” and provide selection rationale.
3. What selling strategy will you use to get executive management buy-in?