Lean and Six Sigma Methods

Lean and Six Sigma Methods free download

Quality Management for Enterprises, Products, and Programs

I will cover principles of the lean approach, and then I will present an overview of Six Sigma. Next, I will cover in detail the five steps of Six Sigma, often referred to by their initials DMAIC. Finally, I will show how Lean and Six Sigma can be deployed successfully in the organization.

The Lean Approach consists of five principles:

1. Specify value, and how to reduce or eliminate waste;

2. Identify steps in the value stream by using process maps, value/non-value decomposition, and by quantifying capacity and demand

3. Create flow by matching the pace of production to the average customer demand

4. Establish pull, thinking like a customer taking items from the supermarket shelf

5. Seek perfection through total productive maintenance

There are five standard steps in the six-sigma process:

1. Define the problem as clearly as one can in words

2. Measure the current level of performance and voice of the customer

3. Analyze collected data to determine the causes of the problem

4. Improve by selecting the right solutions to solve the problem

5. Control to make the improvement permanent

To deploy Lean Six Sigma you should develop a clear roadmap:

1. Decide to commit to lean six sigma, select a consultant, and prioritize activities

2. Prepare the infrastructure and train the participants

3. Launch the process in a wave of projects limited in scope and organizational impact

4. Expand to other divisions and levels of the organization after successful launch

5. Sustain the results and methods further training, empowerment, and audits