Training will introduce you to Lean Six Sigma principles. These include the traditional principles of Six Sigma’s DMAIC framework: define, measure, analyse, improve, and control. These principles can be understood as:
- Define. Decide what problem you want to solve.
- Measure. Determine how the process is currently performing.
- Analyse. Understand what’s causing the problem.
- Improve. Implement a plan to resolve it.
- Control. Once an improvement has been made, sustain it.
A lean and Six Sigma approach will also incorporate elements of lean manufacturing principles. While Six Sigma has a firm eye on defects, lean is about reducing waste and making processes more efficient. The engineer implementing lean hopes ultimately to be able to do much more with fewer resources, while serving customers better than ever.
Like Six Sigma, lean has five principles at its heart. These begin with ‘value’ – creating as much value for the customer as possible while also boosting profits for the manufacturer – and ‘mapping the value stream’ – analysing the entire lifecycle of the product from design through to disposal at end of life and identifying any means possible of reducing waste.