What are the Problems to Improve the Affective Quality using Six Sigma Process?

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the problems that could be faced with when engineers try to improve the affective quality using the DMAIC model. Background: Affective quality is considered one of the most influential factors for the competitive power of consumer products and many engineers make effort to improve the affective quality. Since the Six Sigma process is effective and wide-used method for quality improvement, it can also be used to improve the affective quality. However six sigma tools cannot be directly used for affective quality because of the subjective and qualitative characteristics of the human affection. Method: Investigate the goals, processes and key factors of DMAIC model and find the difficulties to use six sigma tools for the affective quality. Results: Most of the problems arise from measuring and quantifying the human affective response level and understanding the relationship between the human affective factors. Conclusion: Both the protocol for measuring human affection and the monitoring system to find the affective response change for the product or service are required. Application: The results of this study could be helpful for the engineers not specialized in ergonomics to improve the affective quality in systematic approach.