What is Lean Six Sigma?

Lean Six Sigma: A Creative Blend for Business Excellence

Do you ever find yourself awestruck by how efficient big companies can be and wonder, “How the hell do they do it?” Well, folks, allow me to pull back the curtains on a highly utilized strategy by many top firms – Lean Six Sigma. Essentially, it is an approach that fuses Six Sigma methodical initiative with the rapid delivery of the Lean operation. Don’t you just love it when you can have your cake and eat it too?

The Genesis of Lean Six Sigma

Historically, forward-thinking companies seeking perfection stumbled across a gold mine when they combined Six Sigma’s disciplined framework involving Black Belts and Green Belts and DMAIC process : Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control, with Lean’s brilliance for eliminating waste and enabling flow. The groundbreaking hybrid strategy was named “Lean Six Sigma,” and it changed history.

Lean vs. Six Sigma: A Symbiotic Relationship

On the surface, Six Sigma’s focus on statistical underpinning and “breakthrough projects” appears to be at odds with the incremental improvement and efficiency culture that Lean represents.

Six Sigma obviously sees the problem through the lens of the project and address its specific and in many cases localized issues; favorite example is, “this machine here is defective and produces 4 out of 5 goods.” In contrast with the bird’s-eye view in Lean, which spread the “perfect solution” culture over the more extensive processes.

However, when these two approaches hold hands, magic happens. Lean brings stability and a holistic improvement mindset to the table, complementing Six Sigma’s precision and structured problem-solving. Yet, it’s not all about tools and techniques.

The Human Touch in Lean Six Sigma

Although Lean Six Sigma is a giant within the toolbox of business strategies, its character avoids the source of the problem – people and culture. Organizations have come to understand that for Lean Six Sigma to be fully utilized, a culture of respect and continuous evolution must be cultivated – beyond a mere training program, as seen previously.

Actionable Insights for Embracing Lean Six Sigma

If you’re considering adopting Lean Six Sigma within your organization, here’s some food for thought:

1. Balance Tools with Culture: Remember, the success of Lean Six Sigma hinges not just on the tools you use but on the culture you nurture. Make every effort to respect and engage your team members in the process.
2. Emphasize Continuous Improvement: Lean Six Sigma isn’t a one-off project but a journey. Encourage small, daily improvements that cumulatively lead to significant transformations.
3. Train and Empower: Invest in comprehensive training for your team, ensuring they understand both the Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Empower them to take ownership of the process, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Lean Six Sigma: More Than Just a Strategy

Hence, Lean Six Sigma is not just a combination of two approaches, but a philosophy that can help you achieve outstanding success in any business. It is a culture of continuous development and improvement, a culture of respect towards people and excellence.

Thus, Lean Six Sigma can significantly contribute to business development. After all, great success is achieved through small steps. Are you ready for the journey?