Something that almost every interviewee gets caught in is the difference between lean and Six Sigma. You might come across some highly qualified individuals in your company confusing one with another, don’t bother to correct them. It is because both Lean and Six Sigma work towards the same results, therefore they are very close to being separated.
For clarity, the primary focus of lean is to eliminate waste, adding value to the product/service, and reduce cycle time, while Six Sigma strives for perfection in the results and achieving higher customer satisfaction.
Six Sigma
There was a very specific goal behind the development of Six Sigma. It was reducing the variations in the same process, and that could be achieved only by eliminating defects. Generally speaking, there are two distinct approaches used in Six Sigma. What is the DMAIC or DMADV Method?
Although both of these methods have their unique and distinct uses, DMAIC is more preferred by industries. DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control. This process helps in identifying the problem, identifying and implementing a solution plan, and maintaining that solution in the future. This method is perfectly suited for times when only adjustments to an already existing system are required, For example in Supply Chain Management.
The Lean Method
On contrary, the Lean method is entirely focused on eliminating waste and providing maximum value to customers. The term Lean was first introduced by the Toyota Business System in the 1980s, a business methodology that helped the company attain its maximum efficiency. Lean can be very useful when a new process is to be designed. It will involve every tier of the organization, help in the allocation of resources, and shaping out every facet of that business.
Useful Links:
For getting more information on this subject, you should check out these links:
E-Book: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Mastery-Collection-Enterprise-Management/dp/1791326447/ref=sr_1 =