Every business enterprise dreams of innovative and trendy marketing skills that surprise their rivals and take new markets by storm. Lean and six sigma are some methodologies implemented by organizations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their business.
What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a process that analyzes and reduces errors or defects using statistics and data analysis. This method enables organization tools to improve their capabilities and helps increase performance and decrease process variation.
What is Lean?
Lean is a method used to streamline manufacturing and production processes in business. The primary focus of Lean is on eliminating unnecessary and wasteful steps in the creation of a product and implementing steps that directly add value to the product.
What is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven, fact-based improvement concept that prioritizes defect prevention over defect detection. It improves customer satisfaction and bottom-line results by lowering variation, waste, and cycle time while encouraging the use of work standardization and flow, resulting in a competitive advantage. It applies wherever there is variation and waste, and every employee should be involved.
Lean vs Six Sigma: Similarities and Differences
The main distinction between Lean and Six Sigma is that Lean is not solely focused on manufacturing, but rather encompasses every aspect of a business. On the other hand, Lean Six Sigma combines both methodologies, resulting in a robust set of tools for effectively reducing waste.
Defining Waste
One key conceptual distinction between the Lean and Six Sigma methods is how practitioners of these methods identify waste: Waste is defined in Lean as any process or activity that adds no value to the customer. Waste in Six Sigma is caused by variation within a process. This means that Lean practitioners prioritize process optimization to create value, whereas Six Sigma advocates strive to eliminate defects and waste by reducing variability.
History and Goal
Both contemporary Lean and Six Sigma methodologies were developed in complex manufacturing settings. Different variations of Lean were created as western manufacturers started to adopt the principles and practices used by Japanese manufacturers. However, since the definition of the primary source of waste varies between these two approaches, so do the strategies used to achieve that objective.
Mindset Vs Practice
Lean is a mindset, a set of principles that, when applied holistically, enable decision-making. The continuous improvement methodology is used by lean thinkers which enables them to find ways to boost value and reduce waste. A Lean thinker can be anyone, and Lean is more effective when it is implemented from the ground up and integrated into an organization's culture.
Six Sigma methodology is a program that is a structured approach to solving organizational issues by reducing risk and eradicating variability. Six Sigma's certification system is one of its most recognizable features. Six Sigma professionals can be found at all levels of the organization, each with its own set of roles and responsibilities. Here are some features of Six Sigma certifications.
- White Belt: This is the simplest stage and is suitable even for beginners. At this level, people work with problem-solving projects.
- Yellow Belt: In this type, people take the role of project team members and gain an understanding of various methodologies and review process improvements.
- Green-level: This is for those with a minimum experience of 3 years in full-time employment. Can understand the tools and methodologies and will get hands-on experience on projects involving some level of business transformation.
Leadership
Six Sigma offers a structured, hierarchical leadership model that is ideal for highly structured organizations. Six Sigma certification programs empower Six Sigma professionals to perform a specific role in their organization, usually beginning with localized problem-solving and progressing to leading complex problems and training project teams.
Lean allows for a little more flexibility, encouraging all practitioners, whether individual contributors or executives, to think big and solve organizational problems. While it can work in more structured environments, Lean is best suited for flatter, more autonomous organizational structures that allow for collaboration across departments and management levels.
Functional Areas
Modern Lean practices evolved from software development and are still in use today. Lean principles are being used by teams and organizations across all functional areas to create more value for their customers.
Six Sigma is still deeply rooted in complex environments where reducing variability and risk is critical to success. Six Sigma can be used in a wide range of functional areas, including engineering, manufacturing, plant operations, sales/marketing, and customer service, but it is not appropriate for every company or process. Many small businesses lack the resources necessary to implement Six Sigma.
Certification Eligibilities, Examinations, and Responsibilities
There are different Six Sigma course eligibility criteria, examination processes, and jobs available for certified professionals.
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)
Eligibility:
As described earlier, ASQ requires candidates to have at least three years of full-time experience in one or more areas mentioned in the CSSGB Body of knowledge.
Examination:
Each candidate must pass a written, multiple-choice exam conducted by ASQ. The exam is four hours long and comprises of 100 questions to measure comprehension of the body of knowledge. Note that the exam is primarily offered in the English language. However, ASQ has translated some exam programs into Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese. These exams are delivered via PBT (paper-based testing) and are available only in high demand locations at ASQ sponsored sites.
Roles You Might Take Up:
Assistance with data collection and analysis for Black Belt projects. Lead Green Belt projects or teams.
Note: CSSGB has lifetime validity and does not require recertification.
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)
Eligibility:
ASQ clearly states that ‘You do NOT need to be a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt’ however you need to complete two projects with signed affidavits OR one completed project with a signed affidavit and three years of work experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge.
Examination:
Each candidate is required to pass a written examination of 150 questions for ASQ to measure your comprehension of the Body of Knowledge. It’s a four-hour-long examination.
Roles You Might Take Up:
Lead problem-solving projects — train and coach project teams.
Recertification:
CSSBB is valid for three years from the date of certification. To renew your certification, you need to either document 18 RU credits or retake the examination.
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Six Sigma Master Black Belt (MBB)
Eligibility:
To be eligible to apply for the Master Black Belt Examination, a candidate MUST hold a current ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) certificate. Also, they MUST have either of the following experience levels.
At least five years of experience in the role of a Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt.
OR
Completion of 10 Six Sigma Black Belt projects.
Candidates must be able to meet these minimum eligibility requirements to have their portfolio reviewed.
Portfolio Review:
If a candidate meets the above eligibility criteria, their portfolio will be considered for review. A review panel evaluates the candidate’s SSBB and MBB work. Once the panel approves the portfolio, the candidate can register to take up the MBB examination.
Examination:
Once you receive the approval from the panel on your portfolio, you can register for the MBB examination. It is a five-hour exam that measures your knowledge and application of theoretical concepts to real-life situations. The examination uses two components to measure two different kinds of skillsets.
- 100 multiple-choice questions check comprehension of knowledge.
- To check the applicability, a performance-based assessment is done, which requires candidates to evaluate and respond to situation-specific materials.
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Which is Right for You?
The methodology required for your organization varies depending on your requirement. Six Sigma is a better choice if your organization is looking to reduce variability and risk in a more complex environment. Lean might be the perfect fit for your organization if your organization requires a simple, ongoing methodology to direct innovation and improvement. Some organizations practice either one methodology while some try to integrate two methodologies into their organization.
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FAQs
1. What comes first, Six Sigma or Lean?
Six Sigma and Lean are different methodologies and can be implemented in any order based on an organization's specific needs and goals.
2. What are the two types of Six Sigma?
The two types of Six Sigma are DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) and DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify).
3. What is the difference between Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a quality management methodology that aims to reduce defects and improve process efficiency through data-driven problem-solving and statistical analysis. Lean Six Sigma combines the principles of Six Sigma with Lean manufacturing, which aims to eliminate waste and streamline processes to increase efficiency and improve customer value. In other words, Lean Six Sigma incorporates the problem-solving approach of Six Sigma with a focus on continuous improvement and error reduction.
4. Which is better: Six Sigma or Lean?
It depends on the specific needs and goals of an organization. Both Six Sigma and Lean have their strengths and can be used to achieve different outcomes.
Six Sigma focuses on reducing defects and improving process efficiency through data-driven problem-solving and statistical analysis, making it well-suited for organizations looking to improve the quality of their products or services.
Lean, on the other hand, focuses on streamlining processes and eliminating waste to increase efficiency and improve customer value, making it well-suited for organizations looking to increase their competitiveness and profitability.
In some cases, combining the two approaches, as in Lean Six Sigma green belt, can lead to even greater results. It's recommended to assess the specific needs and goals of the organization and choose the approach that best fits those needs.
