“Without data you’re just another person with an opinion”– William Deming
Lean
Lean is defined as a set of management practices that uses simple techniques to improve efficiency and effectiveness by eliminating waste. The lean principle sees waste (“Muda”) as anything that doesn’t add value that customers are willing to pay for! Right first time – every time – on time – at cost
Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a project-based approach focused on minimizing variation and errors using statistical methods. Just to add: Six Sigma is a management philosophy using tools and statistical techniques which are based on facts and figures – it focuses on individual ‘breakthrough’ projects and is in essence disciplined problem-solving. It’s important to stress that decisions are never based on gut feeling or any personal opinion, rather on quantitative information – that is, meaningful data backed up with statistical analysis.
Although Six Sigma provides the methodology for evaluating improvements, the ideas come from qualified people undertaking highly focused (‘breakthrough’) projects. Improvements are made using Kaoru Ishikawa's seven quality tools and an expansive toolbox of statistical techniques. The individual level of knowledge and skills required to participate in projects is denoted by a ‘belt status’ (taken from martial arts) – White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt.
Lean Manufacturing
Lean Manufacturing is a system of techniques and activities for running business operations. It seeks to maximize customer value while minimizing waste and thereby boosting productivity. Our Lean Practitioner Course introduces these techniques.
Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma is simply a combination of both Lean and Six Sigma. Lean Six Sigma uses a collaborative team effort to improve process performance by systematically removing waste, reducing variation, and driving sustainable continual improvement. Our Green Belt course introduces a delegate to Lean Six Sigma.
