Prioritization of Lean Six Sigma project selection criteria using Best Worst Method

With the increase in competitiveness, demand for better products from customers, and call for higher rate of return, the manufacturing organizations are implementing "Lean Six Sigma (LSS)" methodology to improve process flow, increase customer satisfaction and improve the bottom-line results. LSS is the combination of Lean manufacturing that focuses on streamlining the process flow and Six Sigma that is applied to reduce the defects in the production. In this study, we provide a robust set of criteria for LSS project selection in an Indian automotive parts manufacturing organization. Our objective is to provide weight and prioritize these criteria for successful project selection. The set of criteria includes various dimensions and employs the principles of LSS to select 19 project selection criteria. A novel technique called "Best worst method" is used to determine the weights of the criteria and to rank them accordingly. The findings of this study provide insights on process feasibility being the most important dimension followed by customer development and financial status as are highest priority dimensions. The set of criteria chosen for the study can be employed in other manufacturing sectors for project selection. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Technology Innovation in Mechanical Engineering-2021.