Introducing Design for Six Sigma at SKF

Journal article, 2008

Many companies are today struggling with implementing Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and most support in the literature is given on a tool-based level while some articles treat organisational issues, very little has been done on implementing DFSS in work that comprises the initial steps and the way it is possible to proceed in a structured manner. This study presents how SKF – the knowledge engineering company offering solutions related to bearings and sealing – implements DFSS by shaping a product development process that reflects the most central DFSS aspects. In other words, DFSS gets integrated into the product development process with the long-term vision of making it the common way that products are developed. To this purpose, a new product development process has been created. The reasons for implementing DFSS and how it has been accomplished are presented in this study. The decision to integrate DFSS into the development process as opposed to driving it via Six Sigma like improvement projects is discussed.