Int. J. Services and Operations Management, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2012 335 Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Literature snapshot on Six Sigma project selection for future research Muthuswamy Shanmugaraja* and Muthuswamy Nataraj Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Technology, Thadagam Road, Coimbatore – 641013, Tamilnadu, India E-mail: raja8011@yahoo.co.in E-mail: m_natanuragct.yahoo.com *Corresponding author Nallasamy Gunasekaran Angel College of Engineering and Technology, Angel Nagar, Dharapuram Main Road, Tirupur – 641665, Tamilnadu, India E-mail: guna_kct_cbe_tn_in.yahoo.com Abstract: Six Sigma is regarded as a well-structured methodology for improving the quality of processes and products. It helps achieve the company’s strategic goal through the effective use of project-driven approach. As Six Sigma is a project-driven methodology, it is essential to prioritise projects which provide maximum financial benefits to the organisation. Generating and prioritising the critical Six Sigma projects, however, are real challenges in practice. A detailed literature review on Six Sigma research reveals that project selection is an area of extreme importance for assuring success of Six Sigma implementation, but that has been less researched in the past. This paper provides both academics and practitioners with a useful framework for pursuing rigorous Six Sigma project selection research through snapshot review of published literatures. Keywords: Six Sigma; quality; project selection; organisation; total quality management; TQM; define measure, analyse, improve and control; DMAIC; defects per million opportunities; DPMO. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Shanmugaraja, M., Nataraj, M. and Gunasekaran, N. (2012) ‘Literature snapshot on Six Sigma project selection for future research’, Int. J. Services and Operations Management, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp.335–357. Biographical notes: Muthuswamy Shanmugaraja obtained his BE in Mechanical Engineering and ME in Industrial Engineering. He is doing research in quality management. He has been a Consultant Engineer in automotive industry. He has published five papers in international journals. His research interests include Six Sigma quality control and implementation, quality function deployment, and combined methodologies for quality assurance in any industries.