Approaches to Lean Six Sigma Deployment

Alternate Route Sign

In my previous blogs, I discussed some challenges in deploying continuous improvement (CI) methodologies in organizations and made recommendations, such as Understand the reason to bring in the methodology and assess organization’s readiness (Starting Lean Six Sigma) Select the right projects and leaders and provide training and coaching (The First Six Sigma Project) Pay attention… Continue reading Approaches to Lean Six Sigma Deployment

Lean Six Sigma Training for Continuous Improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Have you provided Lean Six Sigma (LSS) training to your employees?  What was your goal?  How effective was it? Over 15 years ago, I received my LSS Black Belt (BB) training sponsored by my employer.  It was three weeks of classroom training delivered over three months by external consultants.  It kick-started my Continuous Improvement (CI)… Continue reading Lean Six Sigma Training for Continuous Improvement

Understanding Variation

Impact of demand variation on required capacity

Lean and Six Sigma are two common methodologies in Continuous Improvement (CI).  However, neither has a precise definition of what it is.  Many disagree on the definitions or even the value of these methodologies, and I won’t join the debate here.   What I care about is the underlying principles used by these methodologies – whatever… Continue reading Understanding Variation

On Statistics as a Method of Problem Solving

Statistics as a method of problem solving

If you have taken a class in statistics, whether in college or as a part of professional training, how much has it helped you solve problems? Based on my observation, the answer is mostly not much.  The primary reason is that most people are never taught statistics properly.   Terms like null hypothesis and p-value just… Continue reading On Statistics as a Method of Problem Solving

Continuous Improvement is More Than Projects

Projects in Continuous Improvement

In my June blog Achieving Improvement, I discussed what makes a project goal achievable and emphasized that it should not be set based solely on the desirability to improve performance.  We must identify a specific opportunity that can be reliably and effectively converted into results using a proven, systematic approach. Unfortunately, most continuous improvement (CI)… Continue reading Continuous Improvement is More Than Projects

Achieving Improvement

Process Improvement

In my blog Setting SMART Goals, I made the point that having a measurable goal in an improvement project is not enough — we have to know how it is measured and interpreted to make it useful. What makes a goal achievable?  In my work as a Continuous Improvement (CI) coach and consultant, I have… Continue reading Achieving Improvement