Lean Six Sigma Q&A:

What is Lean or Lean Six Sigma?

Lean is a culture of continuous improvement that works towards giving customers what they need when they need it

 Most notably these improvements lead to the reduction of waste in any process.  By reducing waste, the percentage of the work you actually do (that makes money) is increased. 

Six Sigma uses statistical and analytical tools to help identify variations and defects  in the process. By eliminating or reducing variability and defects, quality and customer satisfaction is increased. 

Will Lean Six Sigma work for my company?

Yes.  Lean methods can be used for any company in any industry.  Front Office, Retail, Wholesale, Manufacturing, Insurance, Software Design, Restaurant, Entertainment, etc.  It can even be used to simplify your home life.

I work at a charity so who is my customer?

A "customer" is anyone you supply to.  Your customers may be: families in need, who may be receiving clothing, food, monies or other assistance.  Contributors to the charity receiving information about where to send their checks, drop off goods or require more information.  Other people you work with that need information or paperwork to do their daily jobs. 

Does cost reduction = letting people go?

No.  Reducing waste means streamlining the process not firing people.  Lean management is about coaching and empowering the staff to help solve their own process issues.  The last thing a company wants to do, is take a valued and trained employee and let them go.

What is Pull vs Push?

In a Push system people constantly produce regardless if the item being produced is needed or not.  My father often made stacks of pancakes for breakfast even though nobody was hungry...he did it because everything was ready-except the customer.  In a pull system my father would have waited till someone was hungry and then made the pancakes.

What is JIT (Just In Time)?

JIT utilizes a Pull system to produce only what is needed when it is needed.  In the pancake scenario above the pancakes were cooked to order or JIT = On demand.  You see JIT and pull systems everyday at Taco Bell, McDonald's and other fast food establishments.