Articles

5 whys

5 Whys: Quarantine and the Value of Six Sigma Tools

Currently many people in different areas are stuck in their homes because of the COVID-19 quarantine mandates imposed by their individual states or countries that they live in. People are complaining about being bored and not feeling productive, which can lead to depression, overeating, and an overall downward spiral. There are simple Six Sigma tools that […]

View More

Lean Manufacturing

Learn to Incorporate the 5 Principles of Lean Manufacturing

With everything that is currently happening, going back to basics seems to be the trend. Whether you have a small, medium or large business, the principles of Lean manufacturing are an essential part of success. Some say it’s common sense, others call it genius either way it is essential and should be used by everyone […]

View More

six sigma business pivot

Six Sigma Can Help Pivot Your Business

Our current world events have become a record scratch to our economy and everyday existence. Many businesses have had to pivot and do things differently. Let us preface this by saying that many great things in businesses will come out of this temporary inconvenience we are experiencing. If your company has a staff that works […]

View More

dmaic vs dmadv

INFOGRAPHIC: Exploring DMAIC vs DMADV

Both DMAIC and DMADV Six Sigma methodologies are very popular, but each have a different reason for usage. If you already have a product or service and the day-to-day process that is correlated needs fixing, then DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) is your choice.  The DMADV methodology (Define-Measure-Analyze-Design-Verify) is used when you are designing an entirely new product […]

View More

analyze six sigma

Breaking Down the Analyze Phase

In order to analyze, you must have the data so that you can find out what isn’t working and how it is affecting the process so that it can be fixed. If accurate data collecting is part of the routine, then chances are fixing a process will be either non-existent or an easier fix. The […]

View More

7 Wastes of Lean

Infographic: Understanding the 7 Wastes of Lean

Every time you eliminate waste in the day-to-day process to manufacture your product, it increases your profit. It is that simple! The 7 wastes of Lean, listed below, are the main culprits. Transport: Moving products or materials from one location to another adds cost, doesn’t add value, and wastes time. Inventory: Unnecessary inventory of raw […]

View More

Image: Lean Six Sigma in IT

Lean IT: Start the New Year With Great Six Sigma Education

Well, we made it to the new year 2020! Why not make it a great year of learning and take a Six Sigma Specialized training class? Our specialized training classes range from Design for Six Sigma programs conducted online or on-site to Minitab training at introductory and advanced levels. These programs are also customizable to […]

View More

Let’s Reflect on Six Sigma Methodologies

As we welcome the new year, it is time to reflect on what we have come to learn about Six Sigma. We have learned that Six Sigma methodologies work great on personal improvements, such as time management. Having enough time to get things done is akin to having enough money to do the things we […]

View More

Word on the Street About FMEA

FMEA stands for Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. This great Six Sigma tool or template is a method which will call out possible failures and their impact in a product or process design. This template is used during the concept development or design of a product. Taking the time to use this Six Sigma template […]

View More

kaizen

Kaizen Is a Core Six Sigma Philosophy

Kaizen is all about improving the business as an entire entity. This is done by developing a standardized way of working, which is believed to increase efficiency and eliminate waste. This was used in the Toyota Production System. Lean Six Sigma is focused on the quality of the product, by finding variables that cause errors. […]

View More

Why Lean Six Sigma Is Important in Healthcare

As our baby boomer population gets older, the healthcare system will be inundated with many aging people who aren’t feeling well. Unfortunately, our current system won’t be able to accommodate or help them. Not because our current healthcare system is weak, it just needs to catch up to our needs. Our economy has been less […]

View More

Human resource

Onboarding the Lean Six Sigma Way

The old saying, “You only have one time to make a first impression” holds true of the onboarding process for a new employee. One of the most important elements of onboarding the Lean Six Sigma way is that of setting the tone. Getting the new employee familiarized with the organization in a seamless, organized way […]

View More

six sigma time management

Six Sigma and Time Management in Your Personal Life

When you think of Six Sigma methodologies, you think of getting rid of waste and making your work processes more efficient and effective. While this is helpful for your business or company, how could we also use Six Sigma to improve the quality of our personal lives?  The answer is easy! You use Six Sigma […]

View More

Six Sigma Implementation

INFOGRAPHIC: Important Benefits of Six Sigma Implementation

It’s not a secret that with the economy being the way it is, businesses can fold at a moment’s notice. The solution to this issue is to work smarter; working smarter means implementing Six Sigma. Six Sigma sets your priorities and makes sure you are working effectively and efficiently by eliminating waste. This will ultimately […]

View More

key principles six sigma

Six Sigma Key Principles: An Overview

Let’s get some clarity on the elements in Six Sigma that keep you focused on the right path. These are also known as key principles. The focus is on the customer: The quality of your product or service depends solely on what your customer considers quality. The product or service that your company manufactures or […]

View More

Image: IKEA and Six Sigma

Six Sigma and IKEA

IKEA is a privately owned global company, but like any other global company, there was the issue of dissatisfied customers with the delivery of products, specifically late delivery and merchandise arriving damaged. IKEA decided to use the Six Sigma DMAIC approach, which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. This would give Ikea the […]

View More

muda lean six sigma

Waste Not Want Not: Determining Muda

When we speak of Lean tools and techniques, we know that Lean focus is on waste reduction. This includes removal of any activity that is of no value in the business process that it takes to create that product or service. So, it is in that spirit that we will review the categories of Lean […]

View More

5s tool

Lean Six Sigma 5S Tool for Decluttering

Clutter can be annoying or at its extreme even detrimental to a home or workspace. Clutter happens when you least expect it; for example, you save a magazine so that you can read it later. Then before you know it, you have an entire lifetime of National Geographic magazines stored in your closet! Lean’s 5S […]

View More

Sales and Marketing: Six Sigma Food For Thought

Most sales professionals view sales and marketing as an art form, requiring improvisational skills, creativity, and thinking on your feet. What about a Lean Six Sigma process approach to sales and marketing? First, let’s look at the Lean part. Lean focuses on reducing all forms of waste. The Six Sigma part is the data-driven part […]

View More

Kaizen

Kaizen is Essential For Business

When it comes to matters of business improvement, it doesn’t matter the size of the business or the industry. All businesses change over time, and if you get complacent then your business could be in for a rude awakening. A Kaizen mindset is the secret of many successful businesses. Basically, small continuous improvements will add up […]

View More