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Manufacturing companies strive for ever-increasing competitiveness through productivity and quality. This goal can be achieved through the implementation of lean manufacturing and six sigma methodologies. Lean manufacturing adds value by reducing waste, while six sigma eliminates variability. In this context, this article proposes a new framework within Lean Six Sigma circumstances. The framework was proposed by means of an exhaustive literature review which identified the positive points of other Lean Six Sigma frameworks available on literature. The framework was applied to a case study, and the assessments were based on semi-structured questionnaires and analysis of records and documents. The implementation was carried out in a manufacturing company in Brazil, which belongs to an American-based multinational. In the case study described herein, the manufacturing company established the proposed framework to support the combination of lean manufacturing and six sigma and introduced an enterprise-wide culture of project through the proposed Lean Six Sigma framework, which resulted in significant benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing companies strive for ever-increasing competitiveness through productivity and quality. This goal can be achieved through the implementation of lean manufacturing and six sigma methodologies. Lean manufacturing adds value by reducing waste, while six sigma eliminates variability. In this context, this article proposes a new framework within Lean Six Sigma circumstances. The framework was proposed by means of an exhaustive literature review which identified the positive points of other Lean Six Sigma frameworks available on literature. The framework was applied to a case study, and the assessments were based on semi-structured questionnaires and analysis of records and documents. The implementation was carried out in a manufacturing company in Brazil, which belongs to an American-based multinational. In the case study described herein, the manufacturing company established the proposed framework to support the combination of lean manufacturing and six sigma and introduced an enterprise-wide culture of project through the proposed Lean Six Sigma framework, which resulted in significant benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes an adaptability index system for product development to enhance engineering system management. The index system takes into account the need to reduce the time required to market new products. The adaptability index is defined by the relationship between the time to develop a current product and the time to develop a subsequent (next) one, so that the recommended index will be useful when a new product with shorter execution times than those of the previous one is introduced into the product design and manufacturing process. Implementing an adaptability system’s parameters are derived from responsiveness, competitiveness, engineering, and marketing activities as reflected in adaptability indices. The study’s methodology is case study through questionnaires, interviews, and records. The authors recommend increasing adaptability by reducing complexity through computer-integrated manufacturing, standardization, and others methodologies. The significant outcome based on the case study is the assessment that is enabled by the proposed adaptability index. This index will guide engineering companies in the selection of the most relevant development processes, protocols, production tools, and procedures aimed at reducing the time-to-market required to generate new products, thus allowing it to meet market demand, increase product diversification, and reduce product lifetimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]