Category: Lean

The future of Lean Six Sigma is looking brighter than ever. Technological changes are nothing new, especially when we consider the rapid advancements in computing just over the last 40 years. That said, business methodologies and philosophies have to change right alongside things to make a difference. Lean Six Sigma is highly adaptable, […]

One of the biggest challenges any company faces is employee turnover. Depending on the company’s size, the time and resources spent hiring, training, and upskilling employees and then having to do it again when an employee leaves can add up. For this reason, many organizations are looking at how they can combat employee […]

How do you build a customer-centric organization? When we focus on the methodologies, technology, and processes hard at work, we lose sight of how to make an organization work first for customers. However, customers are vital to any organization’s well-being, as they drive market trends and ultimately dictate what we make. With that […]

Lean Six Sigma and Agile make for a potent combination when deployed in several different environments. However, one area where you can leverage this powerful combination for exemplary results is in software development. Software development is a tricky business sector to hem in, thanks in part to the actively shifting targeted goals of […]

Lean Six Sigma in agriculture might just be the transformation needed for the world’s food supply. When you get right down to it, agriculture as a whole isn’t too different compared to the likes of manufacturing. You have all the hallmarks of your standard production line, with shareholders, inputs, suppliers, and so forth, […]

Quality is one of those words and concepts that have many meanings. Let’s review the concept and discuss the different definitions associated with the term. It refers to the degree of excellence or superiority of something, often concerning its intended purpose or function. Further, it is a measure of how well something meets its specifications […]

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global operations, forcing organizations to reevaluate traditional business practices and adapt to an unpredictable environment. Lean Six Sigma (LSS), a methodology focused on reducing waste and improving quality, has proven to be a critical tool in navigating these challenges. By emphasizing data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and flexibility, Lean […]

Introduction Lean Six Sigma and Agile are two powerful methodologies widely used to improve processes and deliver value. While they originate from different domains, Lean Six Sigma focuses on reducing waste and improving quality, and Agile emphasizes flexibility and iterative development. Their integration offers organizations a dynamic framework for process improvement. Together, they […]

In today’s business environment, sustainability has become a critical focus for organizations aiming to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining profitability. One of the most effective frameworks for achieving this balance is Lean Six Sigma (LSS), a methodology rooted in continuous improvement, waste reduction, and efficiency. By integrating Lean Six Sigma principles with […]

Background At Apex Tools (fictional name), a mid-sized supplier of specialized mechanical components, inventory management and safety concerns had long been interwoven issues. As demand surged, materials flowed continuously into the warehouse, often in excessive amounts, cluttering aisles and creating unsafe conditions. This surplus inventory led to various issues: obsolescence, shrinkage, and frequent safety hazards […]

The Harada method helps individuals achieve self-reliance, which in turn facilitates a company’s process improvement journey. This week’s article provides an overview of the method and its genesis. Part Two of this article presents five templates to use to plan a goal, measure the goal’s progress, and assess success. No matter its size, an organization is driven by […]

The Toyota Production System (TPS) serves as the foundation for Lean Manufacturing. Let’s explore this powerful method for improving your processes.  The Toyota Production System (TPS) is a manufacturing philosophy and a set of management practices developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It emphasizes continuous improvement, just-in-time production, and efficient use of resources, […]

Lean management – often called “Lean Management,” “The Toyota Way” or simply “Lean” – is a systematic method for waste minimization and process improvement in any type of service or manufacturing

Heijunka (pronounced hi-JUNE-kuh) is a Japanese word that means “leveling.” When implemented correctly, heijunka elegantly – and without haste – helps organizations meet demand while reducing while reducing waste in production and interpersonal processes. According to many Lean experts, heijunka is better achieved as a later-stage implementation in a Lean organization, long after value […]

The Harada method helps individuals achieve self-reliance which in turn facilitates a company’s process improvement journey. Part One provides an overview of the method and its genesis. Subsequently, part Two presents five templates to use to plan a goal, measure the goal’s progress, and assess success. An example helps illustrate their practical use. As described […]

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, fostering a culture of innovation and agility is essential for startups that want to stay competitive. Startups thrive on innovative ideas, quick pivots, and the ability to adapt to change. This 2014 article raised awareness of Lean Startups. But creating an environment where continuous improvement and creativity flourish […]

Lean Startup methodologies have revolutionized the way modern entrepreneurs approach launching and scaling their businesses. At the core of Lean Startup is the idea of minimizing risk through rapid experimentation, customer feedback, and iterative development. This approach enables startups to efficiently test their business models and products with minimal resources while remaining adaptable […]

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a structured approach that combines two powerful process improvement methodologies: Lean, which focuses on eliminating waste, and Six Sigma, which focuses on reducing variation and defects. When applied to the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) function of an organization, Lean Six Sigma provides a robust framework for driving operational efficiency, […]

In the world of startups and product development, the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) has become a cornerstone of agile innovation. An MVP is a product with just enough features to attract early adopters and validate a product idea. It allows businesses to test their hypotheses and gather valuable feedback without expending excessive resources. […]

In the Analyze phase of a DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) Six Sigma project, potential root causes of variations and defects are identified and validated. Various data analysis tools are used for exploratory and confirmatory studies. Descriptive and graphical techniques help with understanding the nature of data and visualizing potential relationships. Statistical analysis techniques, […]

There are many process improvement methodologies – Six Sigma/DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), Lean, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and innovation to name merely a few. But with so many choices, it makes applying an improvement methodology difficult. There are questions such as: “What makes this toolset unique?” and “Which one should I be […]

Efficiency, Elegance, and Empowerment: Avon and Lean Six Sigma Unite In the bustling world of cosmetics, where beauty meets business, one name has stood the test of time, captivating hearts and empowering women for over a century: Avon. From its humble beginnings as a perfume company in the late 19th century to its global presence […]

What is Six Sigma? Six Sigma is a quality control methodology that is utilized to improve processes through the elimination of defects. In practice, the methodology incorporates project management, analysis, and statistics to improve the functionality of a business by addressing defects in a process. The cornerstone of the Six Sigma method is the DMAIC […]

In business, when times get tough, the knee-jerk reaction is to have layoffs. What follows is a remarkable example of one company that decided to make a further investment in its people by getting them trained toward Six Sigma Green Belt certification and having them put their focus on saving money for the organization. Even […]