What is Lean Six Sigma?

What does the term ‘Lean Six Sigma’ mean?

Lean Six Sigma is a methodology developed to power outstanding business performance through improving processes in order to reduce to defects.

The term refers to a statistical standard of excellence for processes – no more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. Most processes produce 6,000 or more. For businesses striving to excel in an increasingly competitive world, that’s simply not good enough.

The methodology operates within a defined organisational deployment structure. Personnel at various levels operate and lead the Lean Six Sigma implementation programme.

A typical Lean Six Sigma Programme

Here is what a typical programme involves:

• Development of a strategic context, rationale and drivers
• Executive development
• Project champion development
• Training of specialist practitioners (Black Belts and Master Black Belts) to lead projects
• Training of local facilitators and operators (Green Belts and Yellow Belts)
• Systematic project selection, management and review, usually focused on cost-measurable projects

What are the benefits?

• Dramatically reduced defect rate, cycle time and cost
• Reduced reliance on inspection for quality
• Greatly improved customer satisfaction
• Elimination of non-value-adding work
• Reduced costs from rework.