What Does it Mean to be Lean Six Sigma?

“What does it mean to be Lean Six Sigma?” is a common question asked by curious folks interested in Lean or Six Sigma, but without first hand experience. Answering the question isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Usually, I’ve answered this question best by showing them what Lean looks like through a tour of an organization that has adopted Lean as a management system. Or, I’ve answered this question also by involving the questioner in an improvement activity so they answer their own question through their own experience with Lean.

But, in the absence of the appropriate words to use, a tour of an organization that has adopted Lean and Six Sigma, or explaining through first-hand experience, the next best thing might be answering that question with a picture.

That’s what Jabil did ¹.

If you’re not familiar with Jabil, they are a manufacturing organization that produces circuits. In the world of continuous improvement, Lean, and Six Sigma, Jabil is an organization that is respected for their dedication to the Lean management philosophy and their sincere practice of it – not as a flavor of the month, but a sincere practice of Lean throughout their company.

They recently published an infographic that answers the question “What is Lean?” and you can find it below.

PS: one cool thing is that they cited me and Shmula.com in the creation of their infographic. Thanks guys.