Reducing Welding Defects in Turnaround Projects: A Lean Six Sigma Case Study

ABSTRACT In the construction industry, successful project completion leads to customer satisfaction. Schedule delays, however, may be caused by unexpected downtime due to rework/repair. This case study describes how one specialty construction company used the Lean Six Sigma methodology to reduce welding defects in turnaround projects. As a result, they improved project performance and identified solutions that were implemented company-wide. From a broader perspective, this research demonstrates how Lean Six Sigma can be applied in service-based environments such as turnaround projects. It also provides evidence of the tangible benefits that can be achieved within specialty construction operations using process improvement strategies.

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