Reducing School Dropout Risk in a Mexican Private University

Abstract

Objective. This work shows how the Define-Measure-Analysis-Improve-Control (DMAIC) cycle reduces the school dropout risk in a Mexican private University. Materials and method. The materials used to develop this research were data collected from an academic enterprise resource planning software called UNISOFT, property of the Mexican Private University as well as the statistical software Minitab to perform all the numerical analysis. The methodology used to reduce the school dropout risk in the freshman year of studies of engineering was Six Sigma. Results and discussion. Three six-sigma metrics were developed and measured to understand the process and reduce risk management. Each phase contributes to identify the root cause and to formulate possible solutions. Conclusions. The DMAIC methodology was implemented in a period of four semesters; it involved both management and academic personnel. The results show an improvement in the dropout indexes and a new approach is being considered by the Faculty to sustain the effort.