The Lean Six Sigma methodology is the amalgamation of two improvement methodologies: firstly ‘Lean’ which targets the elimination of waste in production and service-based processes and ‘Six Sigma defects by reducing variation in in a particular business processes.
Lean has a bias towards action and is underpinned by five core principles: Identifying value, undertaking value stream mapping, ensuring continuous process flow, moving to customer pull process initiation, and pursuing perfection of the product/service, process and individual.
Six Sigma adopts a bias towards analysis and has two approaches. Firstly DMAIC focuses on the process improvement of existing operations, whereas DMADV concentrates on process improvement planning for new processes or innovations.
Efforts to make process improvements are considered Lean Six Sigma projects and are typically managed using a five-step problem-solving methodology known as DMAIC (Dee-May-Ic) or DMADV.
DMAIC / DMADV
DMAIC / DMADV are both structured, customer-focused, data-driven cyclical approaches to problem-solving. The acronyms stand for:
- Define / Define
- Measure / Measure
- Analyse / Analyse
- Improve / Design
- Control / Validate
Both models are ideally suited to organisations that seek to implement incremental improvements and as such are valuable to all any organisations.
The Purpose of DMAIC / DMADV
Define – the team and sponsor agree on the scope, goals, financial and operational performance targets for the improvement initiative being driven by the Voice of the Customer.
Measure – collects data to develops detailed understanding of the current process state, collect data on process speed, cost and quality by seeking to expose the underlying causes of problems.
Analyse – conducts the detailed assessment to identify and verify the key input and output variables (the Critical ‘Xs’) that are tied to the improvement goals.
Improve – pilots selected solutions (using structured Design of Experiments DoE) and executes a full-scale implementation / Design – the internal specifications are validated and compared to the customer wants & needs so that new process can be subjected to customer feedback before the final product or service is released.
Control – completes the improvement project work and hands-over the improved process to the business owner along with the procedures (Standard Operating Procedures, SOPs) to realise and maintain the gains / Verify – adjusts the processes, develops the metrics and tracks customer product / service feedback.
Benefits of Lean Six Sigma
When implemented successfully, Lean Six Sigma is far more than a waste reduction or a statistical analysis methodology to improve processes. It is one of the foremost methodological practices for increasing customer satisfaction, process capability and improving profits, employee morale and business product / service quality.
Lean Six Sigma has been refined and perfected over many years to enhance operational efficiency, increase productivity and lower operating costs. It can improve get products and services to market faster and with fewer defects, leading to a measureable competitive advantage.
Continuous Improvement Apprenticeships
The DMAIC model is at the heart of the Buiness Improvement Apprenticeships. Delivered by City Skills to help businesses enhance their business understanding by means of improved strategic linkages, project management and Lean Six Sigma skills used in a manner to improve performance and increase productivity.
In addition to the government’s funded improvement apprenticeships, City Skills also offer bespoke tailored training packages to ensure your business improvement, project or change management strategies are a success.
The Improvement Leader Apprenticeship is best suited to someone with an undergraduate degree or those in a managerial role. It is perfect for those with a good understanding of their business and/or those who have improvement or Lean and Six Sigma experience under their belt.
The Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship suits anyone that has the responsibility or need to support change or project management or those who need to develop their lean and six sigma skills.