An important strand of the PiP technical work was the application of formal techniques for process analysis, process modelling and improvement.  Process improvement within PiP therefore adopted a toolkit of analytical tools, including  Lean Six Sigma. Such was the success of these formal approaches that they have been refined and reconceptualised within an HE context using a Lean Six Sigma methodology: SLEEK. SLEEK provides a methodological approach to process analysis and improvement, and one which HE staff can better understand and use to solve a wide variety of process based issues. 

Lean Six Sigma / SLEEK publications

The work of SLEEK and collaboration with the Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM) at the University of Strathclyde has inspired new avenues of research and investigation, findings from which will be disseminated in the academic literature and should inform the activities of other HE institutions.

• J. Antony, D. Cullen, N. Krishan & M. Kumar, Lean Six Sigma for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Challenges, Barriers, Success Factors, Tools/Techniques. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 61 No. 8, pp.940-948. 

Progress and success with the SLEEK initiative is also documented in the SLEEK Pilot Status Report (Jan 2013), which details over 40 SLEEK projects at the University of Strathclyde and assesses their impact:

• SLEEK Pilot Status Report

Collaboration with MSc Lean Six Sigma for Process Excellence

Wider collaboration with DMEM and, in particular, students studying the MSc Lean Six Sigma for Process Excellence, led to additional outputs for PiP including:

• investigations into the appropriateness of applying methodologies like Lean Six Sigma within public sector and HE Institutions
• research into organisational readiness factors for business process/continuous improvement change initiatives and analysis of existing favoured tools and techniques
• analysis on the impact of business process improvement from a curriculum perspective

Literature reviews and survey results produced by the MSc students on the above noted topics are available below:

• N. Krishan, Readiness Model for Higher Education - Literature review
• B. L. Pathak, Lean Six Sigma Toolkit for Higher Education - Literature review
• N.Kirshan, Readiness Model for Higher Education - Survey results