Improvement Proposal Using the DMAIC Method to Increase the Productivity of a Metal Label Company

Abstract

Productivity in all areas helps manage time to achieve objectives efficiently and effectively. Although there are many companies registered in Peru, few are able to obtain the desired productivity. Therefore, many of these companies experience the ending of their activities. For this reason, a company in the metalworking sector was put under evaluation with the purpose of elaborating an improvement proposal based on the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) method, to increase productivity. Reports obtained from observation techniques, interviews and questionnaires were used to facilitate the accomplishment of DMAIC. The research route used was mixed with an exploratory sequential design. In the process, in the Define stage, Critical to Quality (CTQ) and SIPOC were used; In the Measure stage, Takt time, Cycle Time, Observed Productivity, and the Prioritization Matrix were used; in the Analysis stage, the Ishikawa and Pareto Diagram; In the Improve stage, 5S and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) were proposed as improvement plans; and to Control, the Verification Sheets. The DMAIC method has been fundamental in identifying the root causes of productivity problems, and a solid and structured improvement supported by data analysis and literature review has been proposed, which has provided an effective framework for process improvement.