5 Lean Six Sigma Principles for Quality Management Professional

Today's interconnected, fast−paced commercial environment demands fierce competition from modern organizations. Because every competitive advantage counts in this environment, business professionals are constantly researching novel management methods.

But the ideal solution might not come from a novel approach. Combining the tried−and−true Lean method with the Six Sigma approach may be the key to success as businesses optimize their processes for maximum efficiency and strive to uphold high−quality standards.

What is Lean Six Sigma?

Lean Six Sigma is a team−oriented management technique aiming to increase performance by removing waste and resource faults.

It blends Six Sigma methodology and tools with the mindset of lean manufacturing/lean enterprise. It aims to reduce the waste of physical resources, time, effort, and talent while maintaining quality in manufacturing and organizational processes.

Lean Six Sigma emphasizes that using resources that do not provide value to the end consumer is waste and should be removed.

Concepts of Lean Six Sigma

The Lean method's principal goal is to decrease waste. Six Sigma's purpose is to eliminate variance for better quality control. The Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology combines these two approaches. Refinements to the manufacturing process are critical for managing and decreasing the eight wastes identified by the Lean technique. Business executives may make considerable progress toward streamlining their operations by paying close attention to how waste impacts production processes (and vice versa).

Benefits of Lean Six Sigma

• Companies can improve the work experience for employees and the consumer experience for customers by boosting the efficiency of critical procedures. This may foster loyalty both within and outside of a corporation.

• Process simplification and streamlining can improve control and a company's capacity to capitalize on new possibilities fast.

• They can also result in more sales and income, lower expenses, and more effective company outcomes.

• Involving employees in a group or company-wide efficiency initiative can help them enhance their abilities (such as analytical thinking and project management), increase their possibilities for advancement, and build camaraderie.

• Companies that avoid flaws save time, money, and human effort that would otherwise be necessary to find and eradicate them.

• Employees, customers, vendors, and the corporation benefit from the business process.

Lean Six Sigma Vs Six Sigma

Both Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma are process improvement methodologies. Examining how their processes work may lead to significant gains in quality, efficiency, and time utilization. Both use the DMAIC phases/method. Both are centered on fostering a problem−solving culture in the company.

On the other hand, Six Sigma is concerned with minimizing faults and process variability to increase process output and quality and fulfill customer expectations. Lean Six Sigma is concerned with reducing or eliminating excessive resource utilization and errors to enhance workflow and provide more excellent value to consumers.

Lean Six Sigma combines Six Sigma elements (such as data analysis) with Lean methodology elements (such as waste−eliminating tools) to optimize process flow, sustain continuous improvement, and meet business goals.

Fundamental Principles or Goals of Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma concepts are widely regarded as one of the most efficient means of executing projects. Lean Six Sigma has five primary concepts or goals−

1. Concentrate on the customer

Customers must always come first, no matter what industry you are in. Every product or service should be designed to meet the consumer's requirements. Before making any adjustments, no matter how modest, you should always meet the quality and requirements provided to clients. After all, no business would exist if it did not have consumers.

2. Draw the Value Stream

Before you decide to delete or enhance a process, you must understand all the stages involved. A comprehensive process is required to determine which phases add value and which do not. One method is to create a value stream, a flowchart that depicts and analyses the detailed steps in a process.

3. To create flow, waste must be removed

According to the concepts of the lean methodology, there are eight types of waste− defects, overpopulation, underutilized talent, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion, and excessive processing.

The concepts of Lean Six Sigma promote a culture of accountability and ownership for these wastes. While it may be tempting to eliminate all waste at once, there should be a continuing waste removal and evaluation process.

Six Sigma aims to reduce variance and increase uniformity. These Six Sigma concepts can assist you in reducing waste−

• Keep track of your procedures

• Identify and share excellent practices

• Create process checklists, so everyone is aware of and follows the same steps

• Ensure that everyone receives the same training

• Make use of forms and templates

• Automate everything repetitive, dull, and thus vulnerable to mistakes

4. Communicate with your co−workers

It is critical to properly implement the updated standards and procedures while executing any change. Every employee should be trained, and input from them should be encouraged.

Here are some ideas for efficient team communication−

• Install a knowledge base or upgrade an existing knowledge management system

• Create process maps to demonstrate to staff how their workflow has changed

• Make the process available to employees and stakeholders based on their roles

• Update the knowledge base for customer support

5. Create a culture of change and flexibility

Lean Six Sigma concepts necessitate a significant amount of change. Therefore, you must also encourage staff to accept change. The entire concept of Lean Six Sigma principles is to embrace a cultural shift. You should also be able to dispel employees' anxieties and misconceptions by demonstrating the advantages of change using relevant facts.

What Is the Importance of Lean Six Sigma?

Many people value it because of the demonstrable and consistent improvements in operations and business results that it enables firms to accomplish. It is particularly notable because it blends the tremendous process streamlining of the 1940s Lean technique with the 1980s Six Sigma data−driven approach.

Conclusion

Lean Six Sigma is a management style and method that seeks to decrease excessive resource utilization and errors in manufacturing processes to improve employee and business performance.

It is based on the Lean idea developed by Toyota in the 1940s to decrease waste. It is also based on the Six Sigma approach developed by Motorola in the 1980s to minimize faults. Lean Six Sigma combines the right disciplines to simplify effective operations and financial outcomes for all enterprises.