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This paper aims to identify and review the critical success factors (CSFs) for successful Six Sigma implementation in service and manufacturing companies given in published literature.

A descriptive evaluation of the literature body is followed by future research opportunities. Studies published on the topic of Six Sigma during 2005-2016 are reviewed to retrieve identified CSFs.

From published literature, 48 CSFs vital for Six Sigma implementation were identified. The identified CSFs were classified under eight core categories. As per the categorization, 35 out of 48 CSFs identified are either Company Strategy related, Six Sigma Project related or Human Resources related. Only a limited number of studies are carried out mainly focusing on the stated three core areas. Hence, it is vital that these three core areas are further explored in future research.

With the outcome of this paper, the identified CSFs for Six Sigma will be taken for further studies, where they will be applied to service and manufacturing companies based in Sri Lanka. Hence, it would provide Sri Lankan service and manufacturing companies guidelines for successful implementation of Six Sigma for future endeavors.

The intent of this work is to state the implied assumptions that define the setting for using a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) business strategy to conduct successful improvement projects.

The execution of define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) phases utilizes philosophies, principles, concepts, success factors, and so forth for successful project completion. These traditional concepts form implied setting assumptions for conducting a successful project.

To establish the desired setting, it is necessary to state organizational performance modeling assumptions required for the use of many tools. Since Lean Six Sigma requires a unique organizational support structure, these assumptions must be added for completeness. Using the 15 collective assumptions is shown to provide benefits in four areas: training clarity, project assessment, leadership support, and theory foundation.

Any list of assumptions is likely incomplete since project application settings are varied and some tools may have unique requirements.

The most useful of the four benefits for practitioners is establishing a familiar framework for communicating with leadership. Management is trained to evaluate assumptions for any new business strategy such as an LSS process improvement initiative. A thoughtful leader will expect to evaluate LSS assumptions for a proposed project. Stating these implied assumptions will meet those expectations.

Most of the stated assumptions exist in some implied form in the Lean Six Sigma literature. However, the familiar term “assumption” is not typically used in presenting Lean Six Sigma methodology. Using this traditional framework is shown to produce multiple benefits for learners and users.