Here is the definition of some of the main terms:

• Lean = Speed ​​​​(tools and methods to increase the speed of your processes)
• Six Sigma = Quality (statistical process to increase quality)
• Lean Six Sigma (the combination is ideal to increase speed and quality to make any process more agile, productive and profitable)
• Lean Six Sigma Management System (a robust, enterprise-wide integrated Lean Six Sigma management system for the entire enterprise)

Lean Manufacturing and Services

For several years, Dr. James P. Womack and his colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) conducted various studies on the automotive industry to reveal the genome of the quality culture behind the tools and thus develop healthy companies and agile in eliminating waste. The study was conducted to compare the best work practices in the United States with Japan and other countries to understand the differences, similarities, and especially the success and failure factors for companies that want to implement them.

Lean is a philosophy of working and long-term thinking to delight customers and achieve sustained profitability. It is based on collaborative work and staff development through the use of tools to implement continuous improvement in order to develop a stable, flexible and continuous flow process to provide the customer with what they need, when they need it, not before or after. It can be defined as a continuous and systematic process of identifying and eliminating waste or excess, that is, any activity that does not add value to the process but adds costs and labor.

Six Sigma

It is a business philosophy focused on customer satisfaction. It uses a methodology that reduces waste by reducing variation in processes through statistical and administrative tools, thus significantly improving the quality of any process.

Six Sigma was developed by Motorola in the late 1980s out of a need to match or exceed its Japanese competitors, who had achieved four sigma quality levels (99% good products) when the average industry could only achieve four sigma levels three sigma (93% of good products). ). In fact, we are not talking about defects per hundred, but about defects per million.

Sigma is a Greek word that statistically measures variation. Six Sigma Master Black Belt Training is based on the DMAIC methodology, which consists of improvement projects following the following steps:

• Define: the problem, the value for the client, the team and the project.
• Measure: performance, map the process and determine the reliability of the data.
• Analyze: identify sources of variation and root causes.
• Enhance: Make changes to improve performance.
• Control: set controls to maintain the improvements made.

Combined Lean Six Sigma is a powerful philosophy, methodology and set of tools that integrates high value knowledge generated in the history of improvement, making it a highly effective and simple system to design the plan, the product, marketing, logistics, manufacturing, services. , administrative support, accounting, quality, information systems, engineering and maintenance.

Application of Lean Six Sigma in different industries

Lean Six Sigma can provide a significant competitive advantage and is becoming one of the most important indicators and strategies for companies that are making progress.

The Lean Six Sigma philosophy is applicable to any industry, for example, agriculture, automotive, construction, hotels, healthcare, military, startups, education, government, aerospace, banks, restaurants, consulting, and many more.

Lean Six Sigma Myths

• Six Sigma is the same as TQM.
• Six Sigma is too statistical for transactional processes; it should only be used in manufacturing.
• Six Sigma projects take too long to complete.
• Lean Six Sigma is too complicated for our business.
• Lean Six is ​​for production only, not for engineering or service.
• Lean Six Sigma is for production improvement, not process/product development.
• Lean Six Sigma is not for Research and Development as it damages creativity.
• A Zero Defect Program is greater/better than Lean Six Sigma because it does not generate defects while Six Sigma generates 3.4 ppm.
• Lean Six Sigma only costs money and will reduce margins.
• Lean Six Sigma is a Japanese/American tool that doesn’t work in Europe.

Obviously, you will be dealing with myths from different people all the time. It is important that you know the concept and can respond appropriately.

Sometimes we would have arguments about myths that would continue until just before the implementation of a Lean Six Sigma improvement project. Once the project got off the ground and the employees saw what was in store for them and the company, the myths began to disappear. Just be aware of them and be ready to respond.

Lean Six Sigma can provide a significant competitive advantage and is becoming one of the most important indicators and strategies for companies that are making progress.

The Lean Six Sigma philosophy is applicable to any industry, for example, agriculture, automotive, construction, hotels, healthcare, military, startups, education, government, aerospace, banks, restaurants, consulting, and many more.

Once the project got off the ground and the employees saw what was in store for them and the company, the myths began to disappear. Just be aware of them and be ready to respond.