Top 5 reasons organizations HESITATE to use lean 6 Sigma
Before we delve into the 5 reasons, let’s review a quick overview of Lean 6 Sigma in Reality
Lean focuses on value through the relentless elimination of waste and acceleration in the velocity of processes. Value is defined regarding what is important to the customer. Value-add work is something your customer is willing to pay for. For example, does the task add a desired function or feature to the product or service? Or does the task enable competitive advantage (faster delivery, fewer defects, and lower price)?
Non-value work, or waste, includes activities the customer is not willing to pay for. There are eight commonly known forms of waste that can be remembered using the acronym DOWNTIME:
This means we need to be nearly flawless in executing our key processes. 6 Sigma follows a proven, closed-loop framework for tackling problems. It consists of five phases known as D M A I C: Define-> Measure-> Analyse-> Improve-> and Control. One of the key tenants that make this framework work is the methodical discipline of identifying the most significant causes of a problem before implementing solutions.
So, on to the Top 5 Reasons:
- I’ve never heard of Lean 6 Sigma?
- Lean 6 Sigma is a fad just like Total Quality Management, the Juran Quality Trilogy, Theory of Constraints, and Business Process Re-Engineer
- We don’t have time for a Lean 6 Sigma program.
- Our company can’t afford the costs of implementing a Lean 6 Sigma program
- We’re too small LSS and it’s for large companies.
While there are a lot of reasons not to consider Lean 6 Sigma, the question you should be asking yourself is:
“Can we afford not to embrace Lean 6 Sigma in our business?”
We’ve tried Lean 6 Sigma years ago and did not achieve a good result, Ask yourself
- “Why didn’t we achieve success?”
- Was it related to people, processes or technology?
- What was the catalyst for embarking on the program?
- Was it driven internally or by some key customers?
- Was the leadership committed to the program’s success?
- If so, then
- How were they committed? How was “success” defined?
- Were the goals and timetables realistic?
- Was it solely about saving money or reducing headcount?
- Was the organization mature enough for this type of program?
Did you provide context to your employees on why you were starting such a program? Were the employees equipped with the appropriate training and tools? How were projects selected? How were projects managed? Were the results tracked and shared? Was there a recognition component to the program?
Regardless of the reasons, you owe it to your customers, your employees, your business, and yourself to try again. Maybe take more time on the front end to clearly articulate the vision. Define the problems with us in an effective and efficient manner with laser focus to resolve it with minimum time, effort and cost with a high ROI and clear and measurable outcome. We will execute Lean 6 Sigma in your team by engaging the front line and your customers to be part of the process. Always Remember, a methodology like Lean 6 Sigma is only as good as the people managing it and the processes for how they are managing it.
Closing Thoughts:
No one ever reaches a final stage of learning. It is a continuous process improvement— a never-ending journey. Cesar Ritz was a Swiss hotelier and founder of the famous Hotel Ritz in Paris in 1898 and Ritz Hotel in London in 1906. Cesar Ritz was a perfectionist in every sense of the word, and it helped him achieve great success. But it came with a price. Ultimately Cesar Ritz was committed to an asylum.
Today, Ritz- Carlton recognizes that leadership is about striving for excellence, not perfection. Similarly, Lean 6 Sigma is about striving for excellence, not necessarily reaching 99.9997 per cent accuracy. So, don’t procrastinate about deploying Lean 6 Sigma in your business because if you don’t have all the pieces in place or have not been trained in all the tools.
Start the process by doing for you and with us. Speak to our experienced & qualified coach and make your life and business Lean, Effective and Efficient.
