What is the most important Lean Six Sigma change to make?

Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that combines two approaches to improve processes, reduce waste, and enhance quality: lean and six sigma. Lean focuses on eliminating non-value-added activities and streamlining workflows, while six sigma aims to reduce variation and defects and increase customer satisfaction. Together, they form a powerful framework for continuous improvement and innovation. But what is the most important Lean Six Sigma change to make in your organization? Here are some tips to help you answer this question.

1 Assess your current state

Before you can decide what to change, you need to understand where you are and where you want to go. This means conducting a thorough assessment of your current processes, performance, customer needs, and organizational culture. You can use tools such as value stream mapping, SIPOC, voice of the customer, SWOT analysis, and surveys to collect and analyze data. This will help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as your gaps, pain points, and areas for improvement.

Add your perspective

Ashant Vimal

Deputy Manager Compliance at Biocon Biologics I Ex Teva
Report contribution
Most important thing which I want to quote is Project charter, which is the backbone of any project. A strong project charter helps to understand the problem statement, existing pain area, gap assessment, improvement objectives, measurement of goal etc. Financial assessments adds additional benefits. Tools as per project requirements can be chosen at every steps. Risk assessment and plan for sustainance marks a better conclusion.

Like

Unhelpful
Kione Chetty

Supply Chain Executive | Certified Scrum Master | Organisational Transformation | People Leader
Report contribution
As important a task it is to understand your current base, data integrity and validation should form part of the foundation. Many a focused group have been led astray by incorrect data and the team should find adequate resources to ensure this is correct prior to conducting the relevant loss analysis.

Like

Unhelpful

2 Define your goals and priorities

Once you have a clear picture of your current state, you need to define your goals and priorities for the change. What are the specific outcomes you want to achieve? How will you measure them? How will they align with your strategic vision and mission? How will they benefit your customers and stakeholders? You can use tools such as SMART goals, KPIs, balanced scorecard, and stakeholder analysis to set and communicate your objectives and expectations. This will help you create a shared vision and a sense of urgency for the change.

Add your perspective

Quentin Mahé

Senior Financial Controller | Data Analysis & BI Reporting | Manufacturing & Retail Specialist
Report contribution
In Lean methodology, the Project Charter is the North Star guiding successful initiatives. Its first rule? Don't rush to solutions! 🚀 Instead, the Charter sets the course, aligns stakeholders, and defines the problem thoroughly. With a clear path, Lean teams achieve true efficiency and lasting results. Remember: patience in planning yields excellence in execution.

Like

Unhelpful

3 Select your projects and teams

After you have defined your goals and priorities, you need to select your projects and teams that will implement the change. What are the most critical or impactful processes or problems to address? How will you scope, plan, and execute them? What resources and support will you need? How will you manage risks and changes? You can use tools such as project charter, DMAIC, 5S, PDCA, and FMEA to structure and guide your projects and teams. This will help you ensure quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the change.

Add your perspective

4 Engage your people and culture

One of the most important factors for successful Lean Six Sigma change is the engagement of your people and culture. How will you involve, empower, and motivate your employees and managers? How will you foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and innovation? How will you overcome resistance and barriers? How will you reward and recognize achievements and contributions? You can use tools such as change management models, communication plans, training plans, feedback loops, and recognition programs to engage your people and culture. This will help you create a positive and sustainable change environment.

Add your perspective

Surya Sharma

Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company | Top Voice 2024 | Leadership | Sustainability | Transformation
Report contribution
This is probably the most difficult but most important aspect. As a Lean Six Sigma leader, I used to spend countless hours on the shop floor to understand the problem, understand people's concerns, source of their resistance and potential benefits if things improved. Lean Six Sigma can not be top down, it is a collaborative effort involving all layers of the organization. Mindset shift is super important and that happens when leaders role model, listen to front line, adopt the changes after considering concerns from front line and incentivize the performance.

Like

Unhelpful

5 Monitor and evaluate your results

Finally, you need to monitor and evaluate your results of the change. How will you track and report your progress and performance? How will you verify and validate your improvements and savings? How will you identify and address any issues or gaps? How will you ensure standardization and control of the new processes? How will you capture and share best practices and lessons learned? You can use tools such as control charts, dashboards, audits, reviews, and case studies to monitor and evaluate your results. This will help you demonstrate value and impact of the change.

Add your perspective

6 Adapt and improve continuously

The last tip is to remember that Lean Six Sigma change is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey. How will you keep the momentum and enthusiasm for the change? How will you respond to changing customer needs and market conditions? How will you seek new opportunities and challenges for improvement and innovation? How will you foster a culture of excellence and agility? You can use tools such as kaizen, gemba walks, benchmarking, and innovation models to adapt and improve continuously. This will help you maintain and enhance your competitive edge and customer satisfaction.

Add your perspective

Surya Sharma

Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company | Top Voice 2024 | Leadership | Sustainability | Transformation
Report contribution
I used to be Lean Six Sigma leader for our site. For me, The most important part of Lean Six Sigma is adoption of improvement actions and sustainability of the same. It requires mindset and behavior changes, in addition to technical aspects.

Like

Unhelpful