All entries for Friday 23 December 2011
December 23, 2011
Compatibility study of six sigma and lean
As we all know six sigma and lean are both different approaches of excellence and continuous improvement. Six sigma mainly recognised for defect reduction and quality improvement. Six sigma basically concentrates on variation of process and uses analytical methods to solve problem. Six sigma was introduced in 1980’s by Motorola then developed by General electronics in 1990’s, this development was mainly included cultural change associated with the process. As six sigma concentrates on quality is same as lean management. Lean is mainly focuses on west reduction, cycle time improvement and cost saving. Earlier lean and six sigma was known as competitors of each other as both process works on quality improvement and continuous improvement. Both approaches have concentration on customer satisfaction and process improvement. But basically both theories works on different way and their methods of workings are also different.
But now it is seen that both methods are combined with each other and it is seen that the most of them are working well. The new process called as lean six sigma(LSS) or lean sigma. They are combining to get more satisfied results. Both approaches have different tools and different way of working. So the compatibility is mainly depends upon how individual combines them. Both process shown their individual performance well so it is expected that combination will give excellent performance. As both approaches have same ultimate aim of excellence, but both need different resources to work on so it is mainly biased on how company combines resources for both of them and produces results. Compatibility may vary as per combination of resources and tools while implementing LSS.