Which Six Sigma Is Best?

It started with Six Sigma, and then came Lean Six Sigma.

So what's the difference, and how are each best applied?

Six Sigma is a quality improvement methodology developed by Motorola to systematically improve processes by eliminating defects. Read more on six sigma.

Lean Six Sigma is a business improvement methodology which combines tools from both Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. Lean manufacturing focuses on speed and traditional Six Sigma focuses on quality. Read more on lean six sigma.

Taking lean six sigma one more step, we can overlay it on Business Process Management.

Lean Six Sigma + BPM is the ultimate integrated methodology for achieving the best "what-why-how" balance. It helps considerably with decision making by focusing attention on the right projects and innovations at the right time, and for the right reason.

This is especially so in innovation, where success depends not only on finding the critical idea but in turning it into reality.

Like many business methodologies, what applies in one camp can be used in another, and for a completely different purpose. Rather than get hooked up into cutsey naming conventions, Coded-Vision believes more in having a clearly defined, structured approach to any project to get the best results for the client, with the minimum investment. No change process can be managed effectively without a solid framework. Rather than constrain the process, it allows for controlled flexibility, whilst maintaining a clear connection to the project goals.

And any framework is just a composition of tools, most appropriate to the job. A builder doesn't expect to build a house without tools, and wouldn't expect to cut concrete with a wood saw. Neither would an experienced management consultant undertake a change or improvement program without a toolkit of the best tools available. And the framework is what the project hangs the fabric of change on, and measures it's progress.

Lean Six Sigma and BPM

Many Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma tools can help streamline operational processes, reducing time to market, and bridging the innovation gap from current state to a desired future state.

The key difference between the two is that Lean Six Sigma solves problems and innovation helps to introduce and develop an opportunity.

BPM helps to facilitate the ongoing success of both programs.

Remebering The Human Element

And like any sound process or innovation, there are the three streams; People-Process-Technology

It is easy enough to decide what you want/need to do, and easy enough to design how to do it, but encouraging people to perform to the said design is a whole different set of challenges. This is where change management skills come to the fore.

At the centre of any change management is communication. People perform based on emotionally meaningful outputs. You need to know how to reach that emotional trigger to engage their interest, and inspire their action.

BPM is very much a team effort. It may be lead from the top, but its success is driven from the bottom.

With the communication tools available today, there is no excuse for not engaging with all stakeholders at every step of the process. And that extends beyond the corporate boundaries to the customer.

BPM must address both the strategic needs of the organization, whilst maintaining intelligent growth in both its employees and its customers. Many innovations fail, despite incredible design brilliance, because the customer is not educated sufficiently in its value and usability, and the employees do not fully understand the marketing tactics and delivery mechanism.

As customers grow, so do companies, and the value of tools such as Lean Six Sigma and BPM continue to be appreciated.

Author: Gail La Grouw is consulting director of Coded-Vision Limited, architects of optimal corporate and marketing performance.