Understanding Lean Six Sigma

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 9 views

Introduction

The Department of Industrial Engineering has been facing challenges in meeting the standards set by the National Accreditation Board of Higher Education (BAN-PT) for the undergraduate and Masters programs. The graduation rates for the 2016 school year undergraduate program and the 2017 and 2018 school year Masters program have not met the expected standards. To address this issue, the application of the Lean Six Sigma concept is proposed to improve the quality of graduates through a systematic analysis of various stages.

Understanding Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma is a method that focuses on improving quality and reducing variability in the process. This concept is divided into five stages: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC). The Define stage involves identifying the main problems being faced, while the Measure stage involves taking sigma level measurements to determine how well the process is running. The Analyze stage involves identifying non-value added activities contained in the process, and the Improve stage involves proposing a solution to overcome the identified problems. Finally, the Control stage involves evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

Application of Lean Six Sigma in the Department of Industrial Engineering

In the context of the Department of Industrial Engineering, the problem being faced is the study period of the 2016 undergraduate program students and the waiting time to get the first job for students in 2015 and 2016, which have not met BAN-PT standards. As for the Masters program, the problem faced is the study period for students in 2017 and 2018, which also do not meet accreditation criteria.

At the Measure stage, sigma level measurements were taken to determine how well the process is running. The measurement results show that the waiting time for the 2016 undergraduate program has the highest level of sigma, which is 3.09. As for the Masters Program in 2017, the study period gets a Sigma level of 2.06. This figure indicates a significant problem that must be overcome.

Analysis of Non-Value Added Activities

Continue to the Analyze stage, an identification of non-value added activities contained in the process. It was found that there was a significant delay, especially in the announcement of the Final Project Briefing (TA) and filling in the focus of the TA study. By using the Cause-Effect Diagram method and 'Five Whys' technique, it is identified that one of the roots of the problem in the undergraduate program is the difficulty of students in finding research objects and lack of hard skills competencies. Meanwhile, in the Masters program, the main problem is the difficulty of students in time management.

Improvement Stage

After identifying the root of the problem, the improvement stage is done by proposing a solution. For undergraduate programs, the proposed alternative is that the department provides recommendations on research objects and facilitates certified training for students. As for the Masters Program, it is recommended to prepare a guidance schedule regularly so that students can be more directed in completing their studies.

Control Stage

Finally, at the Control stage, the proposed alternative during the improvement stage is considered to be included in a routine evaluation questionnaire. This evaluation aims to ensure that the solution that has been applied is functioning effectively and has a positive impact on the quality of graduates.

Conclusion

By applying the concept of Lean Six Sigma, the Department of Industrial Engineering can systematically identify and overcome existing problems, so that it is expected to improve the quality of graduates and meet BAN-PT standards. This better management enforcement will not only benefit students, but also the industry who will accept graduates who are more competent and ready to use.

Recommendations

Based on the analysis and application of Lean Six Sigma, the following recommendations are made:

The Department of Industrial Engineering should provide recommendations on research objects and facilitate certified training for undergraduate students.
The department should prepare a guidance schedule regularly for Masters program students to help them manage their time effectively.
A routine evaluation questionnaire should be conducted to ensure that the proposed solutions are functioning effectively and have a positive impact on the quality of graduates.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed solutions and identifying areas for further improvement. Additionally, the application of Lean Six Sigma in other departments and institutions should be explored to determine its potential benefits and challenges.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The data used in this study is limited to the 2016 school year undergraduate program and the 2017 and 2018 school year Masters program.
The analysis and application of Lean Six Sigma are limited to the Department of Industrial Engineering.
The study does not consider the potential impact of external factors, such as changes in government policies or economic conditions, on the quality of graduates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the application of Lean Six Sigma in the Department of Industrial Engineering has the potential to improve the quality of graduates and meet BAN-PT standards. The proposed solutions, including providing recommendations on research objects and facilitating certified training for undergraduate students, and preparing a guidance schedule regularly for Masters program students, are expected to have a positive impact on the quality of graduates. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these solutions and identify areas for further improvement.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the application of Lean Six Sigma in the Department of Industrial Engineering to improve the quality of graduates. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the implementation of Lean Six Sigma in the department.

Q: What is Lean Six Sigma?

A: Lean Six Sigma is a method that focuses on improving quality and reducing variability in the process. It is a combination of two methodologies: Lean and Six Sigma. Lean aims to eliminate waste and maximize value, while Six Sigma aims to reduce defects and variations.

Q: What are the stages of Lean Six Sigma?

A: The stages of Lean Six Sigma are:

Define: Identify the main problems being faced.
Measure: Take sigma level measurements to determine how well the process is running.
Analyze: Identify non-value added activities contained in the process.
Improve: Propose a solution to overcome the identified problems.
Control: Evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

Q: How does Lean Six Sigma help improve the quality of graduates?

A: Lean Six Sigma helps improve the quality of graduates by identifying and eliminating non-value added activities, reducing defects and variations, and improving the overall process. By applying Lean Six Sigma, the department can ensure that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet industry standards.

Q: What are some common challenges faced by the Department of Industrial Engineering?

A: Some common challenges faced by the Department of Industrial Engineering include:

Difficulty in finding research objects for undergraduate students
Lack of hard skills competencies for undergraduate students
Difficulty in time management for Masters program students
Delay in announcing the Final Project Briefing (TA) and filling in the focus of the TA study

Q: How can the Department of Industrial Engineering overcome these challenges?

A: The department can overcome these challenges by applying Lean Six Sigma. For example, providing recommendations on research objects and facilitating certified training for undergraduate students can help overcome the difficulty in finding research objects. Preparing a guidance schedule regularly for Masters program students can help overcome the difficulty in time management.

Q: What are some benefits of applying Lean Six Sigma in the Department of Industrial Engineering?

A: Some benefits of applying Lean Six Sigma in the Department of Industrial Engineering include:

Improved quality of graduates
Reduced defects and variations
Increased efficiency and productivity
Better management enforcement
Improved industry acceptance of graduates

Q: How can the Department of Industrial Engineering evaluate the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma?

A: The department can evaluate the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma by conducting a routine evaluation questionnaire. This will help ensure that the proposed solutions are functioning effectively and have a positive impact on the quality of graduates.

Q: What are some future research directions for Lean Six Sigma in the Department of Industrial Engineering?

A: Some future research directions for Lean Six Sigma in the Department of Industrial Engineering include:

Evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed solutions
Identifying areas for further improvement
Exploring the application of Lean Six Sigma in other departments and institutions
Investigating the impact of external factors on the quality of graduates

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lean Six Sigma is a powerful tool that can help improve the quality of graduates in the Department of Industrial Engineering. By applying Lean Six Sigma, the department can identify and eliminate non-value added activities, reduce defects and variations, and improve the overall process. We hope that this Q&A article has provided valuable insights and information on the application of Lean Six Sigma in the department.