LSS Colorado - What Is Lean Six Sigma

What is Lean Six Sigma in Colorado?

Contact Us

free quote LSS Colorado

=

Answering this question of what is Lean Six Sigma can take some time, especially when you are not well-versed in the methodology or have not been introduced properly. But in order to have a simple concept to start with, we can tell you Lean 6 Sigma is a process improvement methodology that focuses on eliminating defects, variations, and waste while also identifying and solving problems.

The way it works is thanks to the 2 methods it takes after, which are Lean and Six Sigma. Both methods are based on improving processes and the approaches are different, but the results are quite shown when you implement them.

LSS Colorado - What Is Lean Six Sigma

Now, Lean Six Sigma is the union and leads to more effective results in all companies and organizations. If you are aiming to understand and know how to implement the methodology, you will have to go through the basics, terminology, and every aspect involved with it. Including its objectives, principles, and how it actually works, and all the tools that make it possible.

Companies that want to have a concept but also reach the point where they are able to include it in their processes will need to have workers dedicated to it. While particulars and people who want to understand it in order to add the knowledge and practice to their skills will have to dedicate time to obtain experience as well.

At Lean Six Sigma Experts of Colorado, we will introduce you to Lean 6 Sigma and make sure you know the basics about it and get to a point when you understand every aspect of it. And we will start by answering the main question before anything else.

Who Created Lean Six Sigma?

More than who created it, it is a matter of when it started. Therefore, before getting to the main answer, you should understand that Lean 6 Sigma was created to compete with the Japanese business’s model in the 1970s-1980s: Kaizen. The Kaizen methodology is based on continuous improvement within a company but also as a way to involve all employees in the business and have a teamwork contribution.

The main goal is to improve all processes and aspects in an organization to improve the quality of the products, services, and results overall. Since it was so efficient and effective, companies in the United States had to search for a way to stay competitive and achieve the same or even better results.

Lean Six Sigma was originated in the 1980s as a way to compete with the Kaizen method and actually adopted some of the principles of the methodology while adding extra elements. Since Lean Six Sigma comes from two separate methodologies (Lean and Six Sigma), you can find the history in Motorola, where Mike Harry and Bill Smith developed Six Sigma.

But the whole concept of Lean comes from Toyota in the 1950s. However, we can consider Lean 6 Sigma to be created in Motorola since—by this time—the company and both of its creators were using the model and tools from the methodology. But later in the 2000s is when you will find the first concepts and documents about it.

LSS Colorado - Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

What Are Lean Six Sigma Main Objectives?


Following the goal of Lean and Six Sigma separately, the objectives focus on:

  • Reducing waste.
  • Eliminating defects and variations.
  • Identifying problems.
  • Finding the source of the problems.
  • Solving the problems within processes.
  • Focus on customers’ requirements.

The methodology involves a lot for a company to finally achieve the desired results, which are obtaining products and services that satisfy the client but do not cost a lot of resources and time to the company. Focusing on each goal individually, Lean Six Sigma is able to reduce waste by using the Value Stream Map, which is a tool to “draw” and analyze the processes and operations in the company.

You go from the customer to all the chain and steps until delivery and do your best to determine the unnecessary steps to eliminate them and focus on a process that is efficient, faster, and obtains better results.

Now, for 6 Sigma, there are 8 different types of waste:

  • Defects.
  • Over-production.
  • Waiting.
  • Non-utilized talent.
  • Transportation.
  • Inventory.
  • Motion.
  • Extra-processing.

Following this, in the Value Stream Map, you will be able to notice the defects and variations in each step which lead to a huge one for the entire process. This is part of eliminating what is unnecessary and keeping what is actually crucial and required for the process and manufacturing to work out.

With that said, the problem-solving approach Six Sigma offers is based on all the problems within the company and how they can affect the entire supply chain. Overall, you will aim for eliminating everything that delays your processes, makes you invest more time and resources, and is keeping you from obtaining products and services that satisfy the customer.

Who Can Learn Lean Six Sigma?

If you are interested in understanding all the extensions of Lean Six Sigma, you can decide to take part of your employees—and even yourself—to take our training and start by learning the basics about it. For professionals and people overall, that want to add this knowledge and even build a career around it, they are welcome to join us at Lean Six Sigma Experts of Colorado to take the step.

We encourage companies to build the LSS culture among their workers to be able to not only implement the methodology but also guarantee they have a reliable and well-trained team to do it. For particulars, they will be able to obtain benefits like excellent salary, more work opportunities, be invaluable for companies from all industries, add more skills and value to their curriculums, and much more.

Therefore, do not hesitate to decide to learn about Lean Six Sigma and take our training and services around it. Companies will be able to achieve the desired results, like improve processes in their speed and quality, make customers satisfied, and eliminate every element and step that is not worth it and only adds more unnecessary expenses.

The best part is that you can learn from anywhere in the state. Our courses about what is Lean Six Sigma and everything it takes to implement it as a professional, are available as in-person or online services. And you can also find us in most cities in Colorado or we can get to your area.

There are so many areas or regions where we offer these services with most of them being cities.

However, if you need any of these services, you need to contact us. The list below comprises the areas where we offer these services.