What is Lean Six Sigma?
The key principles of Lean Six Sigma are:
- Focus on the customer
- Identify and understand how the work gets done (the value stream)
- Manage, improve, and smooth the process flow
- Remove Non-Value-Add steps and waste
- Manage by fact and reduce variation
- Involve and equip the people in the process
- Undertake improvement activity in a systematic way
Identify and understand how the work gets done – theLean Six Sigma describes almost defect free products, processes and transactions. Almost, but not quite. Performing at Lean Six Sigma signifies 3.4 ‘defects per million opportunities’. On a more positive note that equates to 99.99966% right!
Of course we’d like 100% right, but most processes in most Organisations are thought to be achieving less than 99%, with performance below 95% not uncommon. A 1% defect rate can have a huge impact both for the business and the customer. Examples include huge volumes of lost mail, wrongly credited cheques, or incorrect medical diagnoses and operations. What does it mean in your Organisation? And what’s the cost?
Reducing cost and enhancing the bottom line is one of the benefits in achieving Sigma Improvement. Others include improved efficiency and effectiveness, and enhanced customer satisfaction. World class organisations, including Motorola, GE and Allied Signal are using Lean Six Sigma programmes to help drive profitability by significantly reducing defects in all their processes from product design through manufacture and distribution to invoicing and customer service.
How can Catalyst Help?
Catalyst is experienced in the Lean Six Sigma methodologies and concepts, and the supporting tools and approaches needed. We can help you improve the Sigma performance of your processes. But you’ll need to be prepared to strive for a culture that genuinely supports systematic problem solving and process improvement. You’ll need a strong focus on measurement, too, and consistent signals from the organisation’s leaders. The approach then may become a cultural banner to lead the organisation into the future.
Catalyst’s approach to Sigma Improvement has evolved through our wide experience in business improvement, which includes assisting General Electric with their Lean Six Sigma programme across Europe. We can help you develop and implement an appropriate approach and programme for Sigma Improvement within your organisation by:
- assisting in evaluating the benefits an improvement programme could bring you
- designing a tailored programme to meet your business needs and objectives
- providing comprehensive training to your staff
- helping you roll out the programme across your organisation
- providing continuing advice and support.
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