Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Münster
"Wer mit der Seele nicht dabei ist, der hat keinen Beruf, sondern nur eine Beschäftigung." Charles TschoppInstitute of General Mechanical Engineering
Campus Gummersbach
Steinmüllerallee 1
51643 Gummersbach
Mailing address
+49 2261-8196-6339
thomas.muenster@th-koeln.de
Teaching disciplines
- With two doctoral degrees in both economics and engineering, I combine profound economic expertise with technical know-how. In my teaching, I provide practical instruction in Lean Management, Six Sigma, holistic Business Excellence, as well as software-supported value chain optimization throughout the entire lifecycle – from development to service.
- The average evaluations of my courses in the "Business Excellence" module over the past five years (Winter Semester 21/22 to Winter Semester 25/26) are as follows: - Course conditions: 1.3 - Instructor: 1.2
Research fields
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Research at the intersection of economics and engineering. My focus is on developing holistic concepts for the Business Excellence of the future – integrative, digital, and sustainable.
Publications
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Publikationsschwerpunkt: Integrale QM-Systeme für zukunftsfähige OrganisationenHolistic Six Sigma
I bridge classical quality management methods (Six Sigma, Lean) with integral approaches (AQAL – All Quadrants, All Levels) and Spiral Dynamics to design processes holistically, systemically, and future-proof. As a trailblazer in integral process optimization, my second dissertation achieved the first-ever integration of Six Sigma with AQAL and Spiral Dynamics—a scientific breakthrough. My publications demonstrate how traditional QM approaches merge with modern technologies (AI-driven quality assurance, digital twins, augmented reality) and agile as well as integral models to foster resilient, learning organizations. My approach redefines process optimization as an integral system—technical, human, cultural, and organizational—thereby advancing the future viability of businesses and institutions.
Other information
Practice-Oriented Quality and Process Optimization with Lean, Six Sigma, and Digital Methods – Theory Meets Real Results.
As a holder of both a PhD in economics (Dr. rer. pol.) and a doctorate in engineering (Dr.-Ing.), I combine the best of both worlds. This combination enables me to take a holistic approach to inquiries, supporting both students and companies in efficiently and sustainably mastering complex challenges.
Industry Practice Overview: • Ensuring competitiveness with approximately 20% cost reduction. • Process optimization, efficiency enhancement, and acceleration of business operations. • Coaching, training, and interdisciplinary project management as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. • Rapid achievement of corporate goals such as cost reduction, revenue, and profit increase. • Total Cost / CAPEX / OPEX considerations. • Around 15 years of worldwide technical and commercial project experience. • Highly experienced in internationally operating matrix organizations. • Business fluent in English.