PIUSS PMA

I have near finished the first part of the PIUSS assignment. During the period, I have tried to understand what is Lean and Six Sigma in deeply. In order to answer the first question about whether Lean and Six Sigma can be compatible. Firstly, I researched their differences and similarities, and then think about why their need to combined, becausethis is the foregoing stage to think about whether they can be compatible. Through the focal research, the difference between Lean and Six Sigma likes they have different tools and techniques; the goal of Leanand Six Sigma is different; Lean is an improved process flow, but Six Sigma related to reduce process variation, Lean can influence the whole organization as it can change organizaiton culture because it covers all system, but Six Sigma just a particular team, when the project finish, the followers are fading out; six sigma plays change management that tends on focus on cost, quality and schedule, but Lean is transformatinal change that concern to busienss strategy, orgnaizaitonal design, structure, culture and process of the enter value stream. However, lots of similarities appear among them.  For example, both lean and six sigma are management philosopies associated with continuing improvement, requrie and encourage the engagement of management of key leaders within the organizaiton to make sure that the prioritized project are executed as part of way of doing busines, stress empowerment and involvement, etc.

I have researched lots of paper about Lean VS Six Sigma, some paper presents the difference of them is higher than the similarties, but others just shows the opposite. whatever, several typical examples as GE, Toyota, Motorola gave the impressive result using either Lean or Six Sigma.

why they need to be combined. From my research, i know they are not matually exclusive, i have divided into two fileds to analysis. Firstly it is from single system development. According real statistic shows any specific programs as Lean/TOC/6 sigma all have their specific peak time, but the result of Limited Factor of Implementation presents any program create successful only in small percentage of cases. so in order to survive, system need to be envolved.  secondly, because they are not matually exclusive, so the any one of them can be like a complement in order to enhance their benefits.

Michael L. George in his book shows the fusion of Lean and Six Sigma is required because:

* Lean can not bring a process under statistical control

* Six Sigma alone can not dramatically improve process speed or reduce invested capital.

this is a resource to help me understand how can Lean and Six Sigma to be combined, and whether they can be compitable.

The second part of the question is about how to bring Lean and Six Sigma together successful. Today, i have research some papers about integration of them, includes success factors to integrating them, and tools and princples of Lean to integrate into six sigma. by reading them, i know their features plays important rols on integration, it likes both lean and six sigma methodologies requires real data from customer to careful assessment, so the success facotor jsut may include cusotmer focus. ....

I m keep on reading and understanding, try to put more  reflective information asap....

: 14 Mar 2009 21:25 |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem