Talk:Lean Six Sigma
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I created this page because i did not find any page that described the now-common methodology which combines elements of Lean and Six Sigma. I also included some linkage to DFSS. I intentionally tried to not reference consultant group's work with the exception of Mike George (George Group) who did write "the book". Note that i am not in any way affiliated them or any other consulting company. Zimbob 01:45, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
I just read the article and unfortunately am none the wiser about what this is. Could someone put this in context? --Roisterer 07:17, 3 February 2007 (UTC)
Help me out- since Lean SS is basically a combination of two already documented disciplines, i resisted recopying the articles on those and focused on what is different. Would it be clearer to do so (copy portions of those articles)?--Zimbob 07:09, 21 March 2007 (UTC)
As already mentiond, Lean Six Sigma is a combination of both Lean and Six Sigma, where Lean primarily focuses on improving cycle times, by reducing or eliminating waste (non value adding steps), and Six Sigma focuses on reducing defects, by improving quality (value adding steps). By incorporating these two disciplines as a problem solving methodolgy one is able to gain the benefits of both problem solving methodologies. The key differences between Lean and Six Sigma are probably summarised as follows: 1)The primary objective of Lean is to focus on reducing or eliminating non value adding steps, which reduces cycle times. Six Sigma focuses on optimising the value adding steps (or reducing the defects) by reducing variation in a process. 2)The people that would become involved in a Lean Project would be the entire work force related to the particular problem whereas people invoved in a Six Sigma would be a selected team from a work force with a Six Sigma practitioner as a 'project leader'. 3)Due to the difference in the extent or involvement of the project teams a culture developes within the different methodologies tending Lean toward an 'empowerment' solution and Six Sigma toward a 'top down' solution. In other words, with Lean more people are involved in identifying problems, suggesting solutions, chosing viable solutions, implementing the solution changes, and realising the benefits whereas Six Sigma may cause uninvolved persons to get the impression that they are being 'forced' into change that they have had no involvement with. 4)Lean has its underlying science in Industrial Engineering. Six Sigma's underlying science is statistics. 5)The Lean problem solving methodology follows the SCORE event (Select, Clarify, Organise, Run, Evaluate) and the Six Sigma problem solving methodology follows the DMAIC event (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) Six Sigma methodology can be used to solve complex business problems, and Lean will enable important improvements to be made. The two methodologies can be 'blended' into one approach that optimises the quality, speed, and cost of doing business. 196.38.184.100 06:52, 27 March 2007 (UTC)
