Question

Your colleague, who is currently a Quality Manager at a regional branch of a notorious multinational company, is hesitant on whether to implement Six Sigma, which has proved successful in many projects, or Lean Six Sigma.

1. Provide arguments for both options

Provide your recommendation to your colleague

Answer 1

Six Sigma is a concept that makes use of various tools and techniques such as DMAIC, control charts and FMEA to reduce the number of defects and improve the process. DMAIC method lies at the core of SIx Sigma implementation and consists of adefining the problem, Measuring the attributes, Analysing the data, Improving the process and Controlling the change implemented. FMEA known as Failure mode and effects analysis focusses on identifying the causes of defects and analysing them to reduce the failures. Six Sigma aims at reducing defects to 3.4 parts per million which implies that the output is practically defect free.

Lean Six Sigma encompasses the benefits of both Lean methodology and Six Sigma. Lean technique aims at reducing various types of wastes in a process by techniques such as PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, 8 wastes (such as defects, overproduction, waiting time, unused talent, transportation, inventory, motion and extra-processing) and 5S (Sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain). The combination of Lean and Six Sigma gives the concept of Lean Six Sigma which aims at continuous improvement and operational excellence. Lean Six Sigma makes use of the best problem solving methods which helps organisations to achieve their objectives and satisfy their customers.

Lean Six Sigma is recommended here, since it is a higher version of process improvement which includes the Six Sigma technique in itself.