Six Sigma for Technical Processes: An Overview for R&D Executives, Technical Leaders, and Engineering Managers (Paperback)

Use Six Sigma to achieve and sustain excellence in product development and commercialization!

To sustain growth and profitability, companies must tightly align product development and commercialization to fast-changing customer requirements. In this book, Clyde Creveling identifies the four process areas most crucial to doing so–and shows executives and managers how to optimize each of them.

Creveling introduces a Six Sigma-enabled workflow that encompasses strategic product/technology portfolio definition and development, research and technology development (R&TD), tactical design engineering processes for commercialization, and operational production and service support. He presents tools, methods, and best practices for selecting the right projects, prioritizing them, and executing them rapidly, consistently, and successfully.

•  Integrate all key technical processes so they work together in harmony
•  Create Phase/Gate control plans for delivering products with minimal risk
•  Establish scorecards for risk management in technical processes
• Use Six Sigma tools, such as Monte Carlo and FMEA, to improve project management
• Bring discipline to your product and technology portfolio renewal processes
• Systematically optimize your commercialization processes
• Define stripped-down “Fast Track” processes for commercializing high-risk, high-reward opportunities
• Provide effective operational support after you launch your product
• Preview the future of “lean” and Six Sigma in technical processes
• Use lean techniques to streamline repeatable processes such as R&D, product design, and post-launch production engineering support
• Learn how to manage the risk of doing a fast track commercialization project when you really must cut corners to get a product out into the market before your opportunity evaporates

Foreword by John Boselli  xiii

Preface  xv

About the Author  xxi

Chapter 1: Introduction to Six Sigma for Technical Processes  1

Chapter 2: Scorecards for Risk Management in Technical Processes  21

Chapter 3: Project Management in Technical Processes  35

Chapter 4: Strategic Product and Technology Portfolio Renewal Process  51

Chapter 5: Strategic Research and Technology Development Process  95

Chapter 6: Tactical Product Commercialization Process  163

Chapter 7: Fast Track Commercialization  275

Chapter 8: Operational Post-Launch Engineering Support Processes  293

Chapter 9: Future Trends in Six Sigma and Technical Processes  317

Glossary 323

Index 351