LEAN SIX SIGMA STORY

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology consider the two successful process improvement approaches implemented in the 80's complementary. That is:

Lean Manufacturing, derived by Toyota Production System, is focused to simplify and speed up material and information flows all over the organization. It reduces wastes due to

material handling
work movements
machines waits
eccess of work in process
eccess of production level
eccess of material wastes
defected part production

Six Sigma, experienced first in Motorola, is focused on the operative excellence with process capability increase and the reduction of defects. Each Six Sigma project follow the D-M-A-I-C (Define - Measure - Analyze - Improve - Control) model and pursue precise goals through appropriate statistical tools

Define -designs project boundaries; declares Clients and Suppliers
Measure -verifies and validates measure systems; structures and operates data collection
Analyze - finds out root causes of the gap between target performance and baseline data
Improve - designs, fulfils and documents improvement achieved
Control - support continous improvement through Control Plans

Blending these two approaches let simultaneously improve Quality (Six Sigma), Quickness and Costs (Lean).

Because of these improvements that meets Customers needs, Lean Six Sigma has been implemented by a large number of Best-In-Class organizations in a wide range of industrial sectors:

Alcan
Caterpillar
Du Pont
Emerson
Flextronics

Starwood
Honywell
ITT Industries
Johns Manville
Xerox

Rolls Royce
Siemens
Ford Motor Company