Do more with lean six sigma

Posted by RaynaJess on June 19th, 2014

First there was six sigma and then the world came to know about lean and six sigma. Lean six sigma is a combination using which wastes are eliminated and the business processes are tightened up. Many organizations are now looking beyond six sigma and organizing lean agent training for their select employees. This is for the purpose of enabling them to produce better results than what only six sigma can offer.

Like six sigma, lean agent training also involves getting certified for various belts. A yellow belt is someone who has the awareness of the concepts of lean and six sigma. A green belt is supposed to focus on the use of principles of DMAIC and lean and on the six sigma tools. A black belt is given the task of leading various six sigma projects in the organization. A master black belt is someone who has at least a couple of years of experience as a black belt. This person also handles the additional task of teaching lean six sigma.

The entire concept of lean is simple and it has a lot to do with the way Toyota works. The people at Toyota have always focused on eliminating those processes that are considered waste. As a result, the focus is always on the productive processes. Six sigma is then used to eliminate errors from these productive processes. The result is there for all to see. Toyota is the largest car manufacturer in the world and it hasn’t reached this pedestal just like that. Lean six sigma has had a big role to play here.

A lean agent training program for beginners focuses on all the aspects of lean six sigma. Upon completion of the program the participants are able to understand that lean and six sigma are highly compatible and they work best when used in a cohesive manner.

The basic program also teaches how to incorporate lean and six sigma. Some of the other aspects that are covered in such programs include muda, value stream mapping, kaizen, kanban and poka yoke and others. To summarize these courses, they teach the lean and six sigma methodologies end to end so that the participants can go back to their respective organizations and engage in creating better business processes.

The important point to consider here is the quality of the training facilitator. There are hundreds of six sigma training institutes across the country. Some of them are, frankly speaking, worthless. These institutes are run by people who are seemingly masters of six sigma and lean. However, ask them to show some samples of their project work and they start to stumble.

So, lean agent training is not about finding the right course. The lean six sigma courses are more or less same. Search online about lean and six sigma and you will know. It is more important to find the right people as your training partner. This is when your employees will learn the best and your organization will see value in spending money.

Lean six sigma is a fantastic cohesive methodology. If you want this implemented in your organization, you need to have lean agent training and certification done.