Six sigma in manufacturing for micro, small and medium enterprises in India

The importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to the economy and the industrialised world as a whole is well known. Six sigma is one of the popular quality initiative used worldwide. The objectives of this paper are to get strength, barriers, enablers and possible solutions to implement six sigma in small and medium industries. The research methodology adopted is questionnaire‐based research, followed by development of standard solution matrix for manufacturing‐related problems. The concept is developed based on the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). Finally, the methodology to apply six sigma to SMEs has been suggested. Use of contradiction matrix for problem solving gives a new line of thinking for solution, interestingly most of conventional manufacturing problems of six sigma can be tackled by selected standard principles. This paper is of great value for managers, engineers and implementers of six sigma in SMEs. It provides new insights to integrate TRIZ with six sigma in manufacturing industries.