Lean Six Sigma: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

What is Lean Six Sigma?

Lean Six Sigma is a combination of two methodologies “Lean” and “Six Sigma”. Lean and Six Sigma are two faces of a coin. The Lean methodology deals in waste management while Six Sigma deals in quality management. The abbreviation“LSS” is an innovative methodology in which lean and six sigma blend in such an amazing way that eight wastes’ management and the quality of process and product are achieved together. 

Success mantra of LSS

To make your Lean six sigma project successful, keep the below points in mind:

Customer is God

Always satisfy the customers by fulfilling their expectations for quality products and value for money. Shower maximum benefits upon the customer as per market trends.

Eagle eye on problems and solutions

Always concentrate on the root cause of the problems and try to work on their amicable solutions. Select a scientific approach for detecting the exact field of the problem by collecting data and further focus to correct that particular field with the help of LSS methodology.

Streamline the process

Try to avoid complicated and lengthy solutions to solve the detected problems. Cumbersome solutions always increase waste and decrease quality hence choose simple and streamlined processes to solve the problems.

Efficient teamwork, training, and proper conversation

The motto and development of the project should be clearly communicated to the concerned team members. LSS methodology ensures project smoothness and success by majorly altering and focusing on the management part. 

 Never act rigid and irresponsible 

Be flexible in improving or removing irrelevant and defective processes that affect the efficiency of the process. LSS’s goal is to succeed and not fail hence be responsible, and never hesitate to take a decision for tremendous change in management to ensure better quality and minimum wastage.

Why Lean Six Sigma?

Lean six sigma helps you to identify your customers’ needs. It explains to you how to care for your valuable customers. LSS helps in improving the efficiency and persuasiveness of the process line. 

By using methods, principles, and proper tools, the LSS methodology becomes one of the most efficient and effective ways to achieve goals in an organization. LSS not only reduces and removes waste, and problems but also improves process functions and customer satisfaction.  

LSS is now an established methodology that helps in achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability for your organization globally.

Base pillars of LSS

Scientific approach: In this methodology, we use a systematic approach to clear up troubles by using a scientific mechanism.

Work ideology: LSS uses trouble management tools to identify and redefine the root cause of the problems and implement them completely.  

Data and process management: To achieve the best results Lean six sigma completely relies upon process improvement and data use.

All these three pillars work together and supplement each other to support the Lean six sigma methodology. By using the above techniques, Lean six sigma becomes one of the best methodologies for business improvement globally.

History of LSS

Bill Smith, an engineer by profession and American by nationality is the founder of this methodology. In 1986 when he was working with Motorola, he introduced this strategy which was later trademarked by the company in 1993. It is said that this methodology was influenced by the Kaizen model introduced by Japan. Lean and Six sigma were introduced in Japan and the US respectively. 

If we go back in history we cannot rule out the names of Eli Whitney, Frederick Winslow Taylor, Walter Shewhart, Edward Deming, Joseph Juran, and Eiji Toyoda who contributed their efforts towards the development of LSS.

Which organizations and processes are using the LSS methodology?

Although Lean is associated with the manufacturing process and Six sigma with quality, now LSS methodology has crossed the boundaries and is implemented almost in all business houses. 

LSS is globally implemented (even virtually) in various departments like information technology, customer-related services, HR, sales, marketing, finance, call centers, research and development, legal cells, etc. 

Many organizations are using the lean six sigma strategy to improve their work culture. Some of those are Government, Education, Banks, Medical, Hospitals, Railways, Aviation, Transportation, Media houses, and Telecom departments. 

Industries like Agriculture, Pharma, electronics, mining and other manufacturing units using Lean Six Sigma methodology are getting bright results. 

Closure Note

Lean Six Sigma is a simple, innovative, and scientific methodology that continuously works to improve your organization in achieving goals. By implementing the LSS strategy, industries, manufacturing units, virtual work stations, and departments can improve their profits, sales, teamwork, customer relationship, quality control, employee efficiency, salary & wages, chances of promotions, and overall business development. 

On the other hand, it lowers process wastage, cost of quality, and controls time management too. Hence industries, business houses, departments, and individuals who take the Lean Six Sigma certification enjoy all the above benefits.