Lean Six Sigma is the amalgamation of Lean and Six Sigma to produce an extensive business management tactic. Lean pinpoints wasteful production methods to save resources while Six Sigma reduces possible errors to boost efficiency. Together, Lean Six Sigma is a productivity powerhouse to save cost and raise revenue growth.
The Lean Six Sigma methodology has helped enterprises to optimize and streamline internal processes for greater production that generates bigger cut of profits. This is thanks to reduced errors and waste that consumes unnecessary operation cost. Some well-known enterprises which employed Lean Six Sigma include Amazon, Dell, Ford Motor Company, Motorola, and more.
Why Lean Six Sigma?
Reduced costs
Gradual improvement to the process leads to less time required to complete tasks in queue. The by-product of this chain of events will also cut down defects during the rework. As Lean Six Sigma examines procedures involved during production, it simplifies the operation to create the best simple route to yield productivity at lowest cost possible.
Improved customer satisfaction
Good products and services aim to satisfy customer needs. High quality output is not the sole objective of Lean Six Sigma, as it also helps to transform the overall process to create better value for customers. The overall supply chain management also improve product delivery methods and other associated activities that affect customer loyalty. In return, happy customers will be regular customers and establish lasting business opportunities for the enterprise.
Better time management
Projects failing to adhere to a timeline may cause inevitable delay and incur additional costs to get it back on track. Lean Six Sigma steps in to manage the time flow by helping the employees to identify causes that lead to diversion of task completion. Pre-emptive corrective measures are implemented following the discovery to eradicate obstacles from standing in the way to meet deadlines.
What are the key principles?
Focus on the customer:The output is dedicated to please customers and harnessing the opportunities to add value opportunities is essential.
Identify and understand how the work gets done: Clear understanding of the value stream and analyse areas that raise concerns.
Manage, improve and smooth the process flow: Identify non-value-added steps and assess rationale for removal.
Remove non-value-adding steps and waste: Eradicate areas which may impact flow and performance.
Manage by fact and reduce variation: Employ data collection and analysis to interpret process variation.
Involve and equip the people in the process: Assign appropriate roles to the employees to improve the process.
Undertake improvement activity in a systematic way: Apply DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) technique to improve existing framework and overall process.
The large scale application of Lean Six Sigma is no one-man job as a team of experts is essential to manage the projects. Enterprises need to recruit sufficient talents and this translates to more job opportunities for Lean Six Sigma hopeful practitioners.
Enticed by what Lean Six Sigma can do? Acquiring a better understanding in the methodology may prove to be beneficial for future career plans. Lean Six Sigma practitioners learn beyond applying the concept to project management alone. This is because a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge can also be attained as CV assets.
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