A methodical literature review on application of Lean & Six Sigma in various industries

Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven and fact-based philosophy which helps to prevent the value defects over the detection of defects for better quality and improvements. Lean Six Sigma helps in achieving satisfaction of customer and core results by reducing waste, altering or variation in process, process cycle time, by the use of standardisation and flow and thus creates the competitive advantage for organisations. Lean Six Sigma is applicable at the place where variation and waste exist, and all employee or company staff should be involved. Lean Six Sigma is a combination of ‘Lean’ and ‘Six Sigma’. Six Sigma helps to reduce the process variation whereas Lean helps to eliminate or reduce waste. Thereby, the principles of Lean Six Sigma help to improve the efficiency and quality of the process. This has been empirically investigated by various researchers. In this paper, an endeavour has been made to systematically compile the work carried out by the researchers in the area of Lean six sigma and Lean Manufacturing and its impact on Organisational Performance. Moreover, future research aspects in the Lean manufacturing scenario have also been explored.Abbreviations: SS: Six Sigma; LSS: Lean Six Sigma; LM: lean manufacturing; LT: lean tools; LP: lean production; TQM: total quality management; PDCA: plan do check act; TPM: total productive maintenance; OEE: overall equipment efficiency; SMED: single minute exchange of dies; FMEA: failure mode effective analysis; JIT: just-in-time; CELLMFG: cell manufacturing; DOE: design of experiment; DPMO: defects per millions opportunity; ANOVA: analysis of variance; DMAIC: define measure analyse improve control; VSM: value stream mapping