Technology for implementing the lean six sigma quality management model in higher education institutions. part 1: identification and measurement of the educational process critical to quality characteristics

Abstract

The relevance of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) quality management methodology implementation in the Ukrainian higher education institutions (HEIs) to improve the efficiency of educational and scientific business processes in accordance with the recommendations of DSTU ISO 21001:2019 Educational organizations — Management systems for educational organizations — Requirements with guidance for use (ISO 21001:2018, IDT) and Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) is substantiated. The scientific and applied works of modern foreign and domestic scientists devoted to the adaptation of the LSS model to the conditions of HEIs functioning are analyzed. The aim of the article is analyzing the features of the technology for implementing the LSS methodology in HEIs in order to improve educational and scientific business processes and the applied application of LSS technology in the Ukrainian educational environment. The use of the DMAIC cycle as a basic LSS technology for consistent improvement of the functioning business processes of HEIs is substantiated. The tasks, tools and results of each stage of the DMAIC cycle implementation for the sphere of higher education are defined, taking into account the specific of the result of the HEIs activity which is defined as a set of educational and scientific services and products. The practical significance of the article lies in improving the quality of the educational process in HEIs through the use of the continuous improvement cycle DMAIC and LSS tools in order to increase the efficiency of the implementation of the key process "Development of educational and methodological support (EMS) for the educational process". Critical to quality characteristics (CTQC) of the educational product "Complex of Educational and Methodological Support (CEMS)" are determined. The initial CTQC of the process "Development EMS for the educational process" and its target values have been established and calculated. The prospects of the study are the application of DMAIC technology and other tools for the implementation of the LSS quality management methodology to improve the efficiency of all key educational and scientific business processes within the framework of the development of a comprehensive model of the HEIs quality management in accordance with the principles of modern International and European standards in the field of education. The perspectives of the study are a critical analysis of CTQC with the aim of determining the causes of their non-compliance with the target critical characteristics, the implementation of corrective measures in the educational process, and the development of CTQC sustainability control procedures.