Critical factors for successful six-sigma implementation: an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based

The purpose of this study is to identify critical factors for successful Six-Sigma implementation by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. Twenty-one experts, consisting of three-project champions and eighteen-black belts from five multinational companies (Singapore, Japan, and USA) locating in Thailand, were interviewed. The study has gone through four phases, including: (1) determining critical factors and performance measures in Six-Sigma implementation; (2) structuring the problem and building the AHP model; (3) collecting data from expert interviews; and (4) determining the normalized priority weights of individual factors and sub-factors. Expert Choice software was used to compute the normalized and unique priority weights. The result of data analysis determined the relative importance of individual factors and subfactors, and in turn identified the critical factors on which organizations should put their efforts throughout the process of 6-Sigma implementation.