Lean Six Sigma Principles

The Lean Six Sigma Principles are one of the most acclaimed business management strategies that involve extremely high discipline levels, and ensure zero error tolerance. 

Six Sigma is a data driven process that involves the DMAIC process. DMIAC can be defined as sequence of following actions – 

1. Define, 
2. Measure, 
3. Analyze, 
4. Implement & Improve, and 
5. Control.

Initially data is collected and analyzed, and then the most appropriate strategies are adopted for implementation of the design. Margin for design improvement is analyzed, and certain tools such as TPM, Kaizen, 5S, Lean Manufacturing, LCC, OEE, and the likes of them, are used as control charts to ensure minimum wastage of resources and in turn, highest level of efficiency.

Let us now analyze things in detail, and discover more about the Six Sigma principles, Lean concepts, and the Theory of Constraints (TOC).

Typically every other major Corporate giant operated around the 4 sigma precision until Motorola developed and espoused the Six Sigma in the year 1987. The Greek letter sigma in Six Sigma signifies the statistical inconsistency from regular standards.

Connection between Lean & Six Sigma Principles

The Lean Six Sigma Principles are union of the data driven Six Sigma process and lean techniques for minimizing cycle time and wastage of resources. Both the Lean and Six Sigma Principles share the common goal of performance improvement.

Let us consider a simple illustration that clearly indicates how Six Sigma Principles can help in achieving excellence with speed. 

The core software development process involves coding standards, naming conventions, and configuration management. However, if automated build process scripts are built and maintained along with code, then the overall speed may be increased without compromising on the quality in the longer run.

Furthermore, if acceptance testing and usability testing is also included as a part of the cycle, the efficiency may be further improved. Over time, such an improvised software development process may help in realizing the Lean Six Sigma Principles.

When we talk about speed, numbers of iterations needed to streamline the process, and improve the efficiency to the maximum possible extent, greatly depend on the knowledge factor. In absence of knowledge, minimizing the iterations that lead down blind alleys may become difficult; more so, lack of knowledge makes it tough to accommodate changes in the middle of development cycle.

Now, let us try to analyze the impact of knowledge factor in the software development example discussed earlier.

Well, quite clearly, lean practices ensure higher level of flexibility in the development process. As a result, the number of iterations required for achieving maximum efficiency and accuracy can be considerably reduced by adopting lean practices, and makes it possible to accommodate necessary changes as and when required.