Applying Six Sigma Method to Improve Product Quality of Automatic Water Valves

Online First: 30/06/2026

Authors

Corressponding author's email:

anhvan@hcmute.edu.vn

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54644/jte.2026.2125

Keywords:

Six Sigma, DMAIC, Automatic water valve, Product quality, Process improvement

Abstract

This study aims to improve the quality of automatic water valve products by applying the Six Sigma methodology based on the DMAIC (Define – Measure – Analyze – Improve – Control) cycle. The study was conducted at company X, an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider specializing in the manufacturing, assembly, and processing of electronic devices and components. The current production status indicates a relatively high defect rate, mainly including functional defects and material-related defects, which directly affect product quality and performance. Prior to improvement, 179 defects were recorded out of 3,560 products, corresponding to a process capability level of 3.89 sigma. The DMAIC approach was applied to identify root causes and implement process improvement solutions, focusing on reducing major defects. The results show that the defect rate decreased from approximately 5.02% to below 4.00%. In addition, the defects per million opportunities (DPMO) were reduced to around 6,210, and the sigma level improved to 4.0.

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Author Biographies

Khanh Linh Phan, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering, Vietnam

Khanh Linh Phan is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Industrial Management at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE), Vietnam. She is particularly interested in and aspires to pursue a career in quality management.

Email: 22124075@student.hcmute.edu.vn. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5376-5118

Thi Anh Van Nguyen, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering, Vietnam

Thi Anh Van Nguyen is a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering (HCM-UTE), Vietnam. She completed a Ph.D. program in the major of Economics and Management from Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic. She has been working and lecturing in the fields of industrial management and operations. Her research interests are Total Quality Management, Sustainable Excellence, Industry 4.0, and Sustainability Development. She has published her work in journals such as Operations and Supply Chain Management, Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, etc. She is also a reviewer for Total Quality Management & Business Excellence and TQM journal. She has participated in numerous projects in Vietnam, as well as several international projects related to the Southeast Asian economy and Industry 4.0 in Czechia.

Email: anhvan@hcmute.edu.vn. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6950-6868

References

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Published

30-06-2026

How to Cite

[1]
Phan Khánh Linh and Nguyễn Thị Anh Vân, “Applying Six Sigma Method to Improve Product Quality of Automatic Water Valves: Online First: 30/06/2026”, JTE, Jun. 2026.

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Research Article

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