Lean Six Sigma for Dummies

Synopsis

Become a process improvement star with Lean Six Sigma! 

Thinking Lean? Not in terms of weight loss, but operational efficiency? Then you can get into the Lean mindset with Lean Six Sigma For Dummies.  A popular process improvement strategy used in many corporations, Lean Six Sigma exemplifies eliminating waste and optimizing flow at an operational level. With the strategies outlined in this book, you'll have your projects, team, and maybe even your organization running at peak efficiency. 

Written by two experts that have been teaching Lean Six Sigma for over 20 years, Lean Six Sigma For Dummies explains the jargon surrounding this organizational practice, outlines the key principles of both Lean thinking and the Six Sigma process, and breaks it all down into easy-to-follow steps. 

• Use Lean Six Sigma to develop a culture of continuous improvement 
• Complete repetitive tasks through robotic process automation 
• Assess how well your company and employees adapt to Lean Six Sigma 
• Discover tips on how to implement Lean Six Sigma every day 
• Find best practices to sustain ongoing improvements 

With handy checklists and helpful advice, Lean Six Sigma For Dummies shows you how to implement Lean Six Sigma in any industry, within any size organization. Pick up your copy to successfully lean into the Lean Six Sigma mindset yourself.  

Summary

Chapter 1: The Lean Six Sigma Revolution

* Summary: Introduces Lean Six Sigma, a process improvement methodology that combines Lean and Six Sigma.
* Real Example: A manufacturing company struggling with delays and defects implements Lean Six Sigma, streamlining processes and reducing waste.

Chapter 2: Understanding the DMAIC Framework

* Summary: Describes the DMAIC framework (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) used in Lean Six Sigma projects.
* Real Example: A customer service team uses DMAIC to identify and address long wait times, leading to improved customer satisfaction.

Chapter 3: Define the Project

* Summary: Explains the process of defining the project goal, scope, and customer requirements.
* Real Example: A healthcare organization uses Lean Six Sigma to improve patient wait times for surgery, setting a specific target reduction goal.

Chapter 4: Measure the Current Process

* Summary: Covers data collection techniques and process mapping to measure the current state of the process.
* Real Example: A software company uses data analysis and process mapping to identify areas of inefficiency in its development cycle.

Chapter 5: Analyze the Data

* Summary: Describes statistical tools and techniques for analyzing data and identifying root causes of problems.
* Real Example: A supply chain team uses a cause-and-effect diagram to determine that supplier delays are the main contributor to inventory shortages.

Chapter 6: Improve the Process

* Summary: Explores brainstorming, prototyping, and implementation of solutions to improve the process.
* Real Example: A retail store implements a new inventory management system to streamline ordering and reduce out-of-stock situations.

Chapter 7: Control the Process

* Summary: Emphasizes the importance of monitoring and maintaining improvements over time.
* Real Example: A manufacturing plant sets up control charts to track process performance and identify any deviations from the desired state.

Chapter 8: Lean Six Sigma Tools and Techniques

* Summary: Provides an overview of common Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques, such as value stream mapping, kaizen, and Kanban.
* Real Example: A manufacturing team uses value stream mapping to visualize and optimize the production process, reducing lead times and waste.

Chapter 9: Lean Six Sigma in Different Industries

* Summary: Discusses the applicability of Lean Six Sigma in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance.
* Real Example: A financial services company uses Lean Six Sigma to streamline loan processing, improving turnaround time and increasing customer satisfaction.

Chapter 10: Lean Six Sigma Certification

* Summary: Outlines the benefits of Lean Six Sigma certification and provides guidance on obtaining it.
* Real Example: A quality manager earns Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, demonstrating expertise in process improvement and leading improvement projects.