Identifying Six Sigma Critical Success Factors to Reduce Variability of Processes (Case study: Dairy Industry)

Nowadays, the variability of processes is the most important reason for increasing costs and reducing efficiency and product quality, and companies are always trying to remove it. The purpose of this research is to identify Critical Success Factors (CSFs) of reducing the variability of processes with Six Sigma approach in the dairy industry. The statistical population of this research is dairy companies that managers and experts of production and quality control units of these companies as the statistical analysis unit were selected. Initially, through an in-depth review of past studies, the effective components on reducing the variability of processes were determined and then using exploratory factor analysis technique, the CSFs of reducing the variability of processes with Six Sigma approach were identified. Finally, using Bartlett's test, equality of variance was tested for the identified CSFs. The obtained results showed that eight CSFs of reducing variability of processes with Six Sigma approach were identified in dairy industry, which include: "Managing variability of processes", "nature of project team", "nature of project", "engagement and commitment of senior management" "communication with Customers and Suppliers," "Cultural Change," "Employee Learning," "Data and Information Management." Also, the research results showed that the effect of each of the CSFs on the reduction of processes variability is different. The result of this research can be used by decision-makers and managers of manufacturing companies to improve processes and productivity.