Lean Six Sigma

Lean and Lean Six Sigma are process improvement methodologies that companies can apply to reduce waste, cut time and eliminate non-value-added actions. Six Sigma is a methodology to manage process variations that cause defects and to eliminate those defects. Defects are defined as unacceptable deviation from the mean or target. The objective of Six Sigma is to deliver high performance, reliability, and value to the end customer. Implementig Lean production enables the company to minimize inventory, maximize the use of multi-skilled employess, flatten the management structure, focus resources where they were needed, and deliver on demand. While Six Sigma is about precision and accuracy leading to data-driven decisions (will eliminate defects but it will not address the question of how to optimize process flow), Lean is about speed and efficiency.

Lean Six Sigma delivers faster results by establishing baseline performance levels and focusing the use of statistical tools where they will have the most impact. Lean and Six Sigma together promise of being able to address all types of process problems with the most appropriate toolkit.

Usualy, for companies using lean six sigma the first steps are applying basic lean-manufacturing techniques and eliminating waste. Then, Six Sigma brings is a sequential problem-solving procedure, the DMAIC strategy (Design, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control), and statistical tools offering a powerful methodology that ensures that potential causes are not overlooked, and viable solutions to chronic problems can be discovered.

Lean Six Sigma on the Internet

  1. Lean Six Sigma Basics
  2. Why the Lean in Lean Six Sigma?
  3. What is six sigma and lean manufacturing?
  4. Lean/Six Sigma

Books about Lean Six Sigma

  1. Salman Taghizadegan, Essentials of Lean Six Sigma, 2006, ISBN: 0123705029
  2. Alexander John, Renata Meran, Olin Roenpage, Christian Staudter, Six Sigma+lean Toolset, 2006, ISBN: 3540291415
  3. Jeffrey Morgan,Creating Lean Corporations, 2005, ISBN: 1563273241
  4. David T. Rowlands, Michael L. George, Bill Kastle, What is Lean Six Sigma, Nov 1, 2003, ISBN: 007142668X
  5. Michael L. George, Lean Six Sigma for Service, Jun 1, 2003, ISBN: 0071418210
  6. Betsi Harris Ehrlich, Transactional Six SIGMA and Lean Servicing, 2002, ISBN: 1574443259