Lean Six Sigma is an altered form of Six Sigma Training, but also a process all its own in many capacities. Knowing the vital differences that come with Lean can prove to add more to your quality improvement projects than you might have thought possible. There are basic fundamentals of Six Sigma that will not be absent in the Lean process, but there are also a few additions to the process that make it what it is.
The eight elements of waste is the focus of the Lean Six Sigma Process. It has been proven that by simply removing these areas of waste, the company will actually improve quality. Below you will find what the Lean process considers wastes, and examples of each.
-Wasted Human Talent: Anyone that is without a specific job function or who's work may be slowing the process down.
-Defects: Any product or process that is not working properly. Before they can be eliminated, however, they will require a fixable solution.
-Inventory: This refers to an over sized "To Do" list of work. You never want to have to much product waiting to be worked on. A doctors office, for example, does not want to have to many patients in the waiting room at one time.
-Overproduction: You never want to have to much of something before it is needed. This can get in the way of a well-organized operation.
-Wasted Time: many times you will find that you can not go any further until you receive a product or piece of information from someone. Instead of sitting around waiting, this time would be better spent on processes or activities that may need some extra assistance.
-Motion: Simply put, too much unnecessary movement by people. For example, a clinic that sends patients to triage when they have booked appointments is wasted movement because they can go straight to the exam room.
-Transportation: If the company is using a means of transportation for a person or product that is not needed, then that would fall under the wasteful category.
-Process Waste: Anything that needs to be done within the company, but does not add any value to the process, product or service. For example, a manager may be required to fill out paperwork each night, but it has nothing to do with improving the product or customer service.
Understanding these waste products will enhance the quality improvement projects that you approach using Lean Six Sigma processes.
The eight elements of waste is the focus of the Lean Six Sigma Process. It has been proven that by simply removing these areas of waste, the company will actually improve quality. Below you will find what the Lean process considers wastes, and examples of each.
-Wasted Human Talent: Anyone that is without a specific job function or who's work may be slowing the process down.
-Defects: Any product or process that is not working properly. Before they can be eliminated, however, they will require a fixable solution.
-Inventory: This refers to an over sized "To Do" list of work. You never want to have to much product waiting to be worked on. A doctors office, for example, does not want to have to many patients in the waiting room at one time.
-Overproduction: You never want to have to much of something before it is needed. This can get in the way of a well-organized operation.
-Wasted Time: many times you will find that you can not go any further until you receive a product or piece of information from someone. Instead of sitting around waiting, this time would be better spent on processes or activities that may need some extra assistance.
-Motion: Simply put, too much unnecessary movement by people. For example, a clinic that sends patients to triage when they have booked appointments is wasted movement because they can go straight to the exam room.
-Transportation: If the company is using a means of transportation for a person or product that is not needed, then that would fall under the wasteful category.
-Process Waste: Anything that needs to be done within the company, but does not add any value to the process, product or service. For example, a manager may be required to fill out paperwork each night, but it has nothing to do with improving the product or customer service.
Understanding these waste products will enhance the quality improvement projects that you approach using Lean Six Sigma processes.
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