Six SigmaLean

Lean Six Sigma

A methodology combining lean's focus on flow and waste with Six Sigma's focus on reducing variation and defects.

Lean Six Sigma merges two complementary disciplines: lean removes waste and speeds flow, while Six Sigma reduces variation and defects using statistics. Together they improve speed and quality simultaneously.

Practitioners use the DMAIC roadmap and a belt structure (Yellow, Green, Black). The combination prevents the common failure mode of optimizing one dimension (speed or quality) at the expense of the other.

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Related Terms
Six Sigma
A data-driven methodology for reducing variation and defects to no more than 3.4 per million opportunities.
Lean Manufacturing
A systematic approach to maximizing customer value by relentlessly eliminating waste through continuous improvement.
DMAIC
The five-phase data-driven improvement cycle at the heart of Six Sigma for improving existing processes.
SPC
Using control charts to monitor a process and distinguish normal variation from special-cause signals requiring action.
Continuous Improvement
The ongoing, organization-wide effort to improve products, services, and processes through small incremental changes.

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