Lean Six Sigma
The world is becoming smaller. Geographical boundaries do not prevent the best products, practices and process from being replicated or being made available to all. Product life cycles are becoming shorter. Companies need to constantly improve, and innovate to deliver better value to customers. Lean and Six Sigma are world’s two most powerful methodologies for performance excellence which help organizations provide services / products better, faster and at a lower cost, whilst increasing levels of customer satisfaction. Both these methodologies provide tangible business results and cost savings that are fully accountable.
Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven methodology (five phases – Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control, commonly called as DMAIC) for eliminating defects in any process.
Goal – Improve performance on Customer CTQs (Critical To Quality)
Focus – Use DMAIC/DFSS processes to eliminate variation
Method – Management Engagement, Deployment Managers, and Black Belt Projects
Lean is based on the philosophy for creating value by eliminating all the waste from the process. Lean works to identify the different types of wastes (broadly classified as eight types) and remove these from the process to improve efficiency and flow.
Goal – Reduce waste and increase process speed
Method – Value Stream Tools, Kaizen events
Both these Six Sigma and Lean methodologies have provided tremendous benefits for all types of businesses whether manufacturing or transnational.