Introduction to Engineering Statistics and Lean Sigma

Lean production, has long been regarded as critical to business success in many industries. Over the last ten years, instruction in six sigma has been increasingly linked with learning about the elements of lean production. Introduction to Engineering Statistics and Lean Sigma builds on the success of its first edition (Introduction to Engineering Statistics and Six Sigma) to reflect the growing importance of the "lean sigma" hybrid.

As well as providing detailed definitions and case studies of all six sigma methods, Introduction to Engineering Statistics and Lean Sigma forms one of few sources on the relationship between operations research techniques and lean sigma. Readers will be given the information necessary to determine which sigma methods to apply in which situation, and to predict why and when a particular method may not be effective. Methods covered include:

• control charts and advanced control charts,

• failure mode and effects analysis,

• Taguchi methods,

• gauge R&R, and

• genetic algorithms.

The second edition also greatly expands the discussion of Design For Six Sigma (DFSS), which is critical for many organizations that seek to deliver desirable products that work first time. It incorporates recently emerging formulations of DFSS from industry leaders and offers more introductory material on the design of experiments, and on two level and full factorial experiments, to help improve student intuition-building and retention.

The emphasis on lean production, combined with recent methods relating to Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), makes Introduction to Engineering Statistics and Lean Sigma a practical, up-to-date resource for advanced students, educators, and practitioners.

• Measure
• algorithms
• genetic algorithms
• linear optimization
• operations research
• optimization
• organization
• quality
• Engineering Economics

From the reviews of the first edition:

"A basic introduction to six sigma concepts, this book provides added depth to some statistical concepts. Theodore Allen uses a wide variety of example types to show the value of tools ranging from administrating medication in a hospital to welding with robotics. … One of the main points that Allen makes throughout the book is that, you do not need to understand all the theory behind the statistics to benefit from these tools.

I recommend this book."

(Roger Sauter, Boeing, in Technometrics, Vol. 49 (2), 2007)

• Industrial and Systems Engineering, 210 Baker Systems, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA

  Theodore T. Allen

Dr Theodore Allen is an associate professor in Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Ohio State University and a co-founder of the software company, Sagata Ltd. He is a senior member of the American Society of Quality and an associate editor of The Journal of Manufacturing Systems (Elsevier).

Policies and ethics