Category: Six Sigma

There are many companies who are using the skills and methods of Lean Six Sigma with tremendous success, but there are some companies that tend to see Lean Six Sigma as something of a fad.  In certain cases, Lean Lean Six Sigma is integrated into the problem solving approaches of the company with much success,…

Most businesses recognize the importance of efficiency. Getting the job done at the lowest cost, with the smallest margin of error, and best results are goals of every company, no matter how they phrase it. How they measure their success at achieving these goals can be measured in a variety of ways. Profits, waste reduction,…

I was asked by a student to explain constraint management and flexible processes, with simple examples. Here is my response. Very briefly, the theory of constraints (TOC) is based on the premise that in any sequence of process steps, or on a larger scale any sequence of processes in a value stream, there is one…

Errors rob your company of money. Money you could use to hire workers, increase wages, add new benefits, purchase new equipment, and more. You probably don’t even see the loss. But every time one of your employees inadvertently makes a mistake, it is there. So what do you do? Look into Lean Six Sigma. It…

Lean Six Sigma actually combines two great philosophies: Toyota’s lean manufacturing process philosophy and Motorola’s Six Sigma management philosophy. Ultimately, the goal is to produce the greatest possible output using tasks that produce the best results and happiest customers. Lean as a Continuous Improvement Philosophy The lean philosophy in two words: eliminate waste. This includes…

I am often asked my opinion regarding the future of Six Sigma. Regarding the future of Six Sigma, it continues on despite rumors of its death which began shortly after its birth in the 1980s. For those doing it right (arguably a minority, but a sizable one,) the Six Sigma approach has evolved into a new way…

Accounting for process variation is vital in Lean Six Sigma. The measurement phase of the LSS process produces the data that shows the amount of variation in the process. Once identified, the goal is then to manage and reduce this variation using Lean Six Sigma tools. Basic Sources of Variation There are two basic sources…

Lean Six Sigma techniques have proven successful in the business arena. What about improving quality of life? Quality professional Bill Howell decided to implement his Lean Six Sigma training to effectively manage his type II diabetes. Consider how he used the five DMAIC steps to control his condition and avoid medication dependence. Does the credit really go…

Until you have committed to the Lean Six Sigma process it can be hard to understand exactly how life changing it can be for companies and businesses. When considering if Six Lean Sigma is right for an organization we often get asked the five big questions. Today we are here with answers. Who? Thomas Pyzdek is…