Lean Six Sigma is a method for improving the efficiency and quality of a process. It’s a combination of two different approaches, Lean and Six Sigma, that are used together to achieve the best results.
Lean is all about making things faster and more efficient by reducing waste and streamlining processes. Six Sigma, on the other hand, is focused on reducing defects and improving quality by using data and statistics.
More About Lean Six Sigma
When you use Lean Six Sigma, you go through a series of steps to improve your process. You start by defining the problem and then measure how well the process is currently working.
Then you use data to figure out what’s causing the problems and come up with solutions. Once you’ve made the improvements, you put controls in place to make sure they stick.
It’s a continuous process, so you keep monitoring and making changes as needed. The goal is to make sure that you’re meeting the needs of your customers and delivering the best possible product or service.
What are the key principles of Six Sigma?
The key sigma principles are the following:
- Customer focus
- Use data
- Improve continuously
- Involve people
- Be thorough
5 Phases of Si Sigma
One of the key concepts in Lean Six Sigma is DMAIC. DMAIC is an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control.
This is the process that Lean Six Sigma practitioners follow to improve a business process.
It’s a data-driven process, so practitioners use statistics and other tools to make decisions and track progress. By following the DMAIC process, companies can solve any problem and make things better.
1. Define
Define the problem or process that needs to be improved. This team is responsible for identifying which process to focus on, through an analysis of the company’s goals and requirements.
During this define phase, the team should take the time to clearly outline the problem and its impact on the organization, as well as identifying the specific goals and deliverables for the project.
This can include quantifying the impact of the problem in terms of financial costs, customer satisfaction, and other relevant metrics.
By clearly defining the problem, the team can ensure that they are working on the right project and that their solutions will have a meaningful impact on the organization.
It’s also important to identify the stakeholders, the people who will be impacted by the project, and their needs.
It’s important to understand what they expect and what they think of the problem.
This can help the team make sure they understand the context of the problem they are trying to solve and can lead to more effective solutions.
2. Measure
Measure the initial performance of the process. The team must collect data and statistical measures, which will later be used to understand the problem, and identify opportunities for improvement.
This data collection process is critical as it provides a benchmark of the current performance of the process and establishes a foundation for measuring the success of any improvements made.
The team needs to identify what metrics are relevant to the problem they are trying to solve and decide how they will collect and analyze that data.
They should also identify any potential sources of variation that could impact the data, and take steps to control them.
By identifying the right metrics and controlling for variations, the team can ensure that the data is accurate and reliable.
The statistical measures that the team collect, will help the team to understand the performance of the process as it stands and help to identify the potential inputs that may be causing the problem.
3. Analyze
During this phase, the team uses analytical tools and techniques to understand how the process works, and to identify the specific inputs that are causing the problem.
The goal is to isolate and test each input, or potential reason for failure, and to determine which ones is the actual root cause of the problem.
The team can use various analytical tools and methods such as process mapping, cause and effect diagrams, Pareto charts and statistical analysis to identify the root cause of the problem.
These tools help the team to identify the key areas of the process that need to be improved, and to understand how different inputs are impacting the process.
4. Improve
Once the team has identified the root cause of the problem, they can begin to design and implement solutions to address it. This phase is all about taking the insights from the analyze phase, and turning them into action.
During the improve phase, the team works to design and test possible solutions, and select the best one to implement.
They should consider factors such as feasibility, cost, and potential impact when selecting the solution.
It’s important to involve the stakeholders in this phase to ensure the solutions aligns with their needs, and that they will support the change.
5. Control
The goal of this phase is to ensure that the improvements made during the improve phase are sustained over time and that the process remains stable and predictable.
During this phase, the team puts in place control systems such as procedures, checks, and inspections to ensure that the process remains stable and predictable.
They also establish clear communication channels, so that any issues that do arise can be identified and addressed quickly.
It’s also important to conduct regular reviews and audits to ensure that the improvements are being sustained, and the process is remaining stable.
This can be done through monitoring key process performance metrics and comparing them to the baseline data collected in the measure phase.
Six Sigma Level “Belts”
1.White Belts
This is a basic level of understanding of Six Sigma, and it typically indicates that an individual has some general awareness of the methodology.
2. Yellow Belts
A Yellow Belts is someone who has completed some basic training in Six Sigma and has a basic understanding of the methodology. They may play a supportive role on a Six Sigma team.
3. Green Belts
A Green Belt is an individual who has a working knowledge of Six Sigma and has completed a more comprehensive training program. They may lead smaller projects or be a team member on larger projects.
4. Black Belts
A Black Belt is a fully trained Six Sigma professional who has completed an extensive training program and has the ability to lead large and complex projects. They are responsible for leading teams and guiding the implementation of Six Sigma.
5. Master Black Belts
A Master Black Belt is a highly experienced Six Sigma professional who has demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the methodology. They are responsible for leading and mentoring Black Belts and other Six Sigma professionals.