This year and for the succeeding ones, I seem to see a lot of companies that will combine both Lean and Six Sigma. Perhaps, the manufacturing industry will be at the forefront of this.
If you are a manufacturing company thinking of going into Lean Six Sigma, here are some of the ways by which Lean Six Sigma can improve your processes.
- Put much emphasis on gathering genuine data that are relevant to the needs and requirements of your particular Lean Six Sigma improvement initiative.
- Encourage team effort by motivating Lean Six Sigma team members and guide them toward achieving common Lean Six Sigma goals and objectives.
- Adopt the new sequential production techniques instead of the obsolete shop-scheduling-production technique.
- Improve supply chain management and efficiency by building a simple yet effective logistical platform that helps in reducing inventory-carrying costs. This kind of system allows a continuous flow of raw materials and finished goods from point A to point B.
- Lean Six Sigma eliminates the root cause of extended cycle times.
- Design a production model that can be configured as and when needed, depending on the existing demand.
- Lean Six Sigma helps you make timely business decisions such as when to expand or when downsize.
Source: How Lean Six Sigma Can Bring Quality And Efficiency To Firms
