#PillolediManagement by Andrea Greco: Process improvement and the difference between Lean and Lean Six Sigma

A business process is a succession of activities that must be performed within a company to complete the delivery of a product or service.

Business process improvement is a journey of understanding and studying processes through specific techniques and methods: it starts by knowing the process, understanding its problems and main factors, it proceeds by simplifying it and making it better than it was at the beginning, ending by stabilizing it with refined techniques. That’s what we call a true process optimization itself.

How can this improvement result in greater gains?

Continous improvement is the key to achieve these results: for example, through reducing unnecessary activities, achieving punctuality, and reducing processing time, it is possible to reduce internal costs and offer a reduced-cost product to the market.

To make all this possible, it is necessary to apply Lean and Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

Lean and Lean Six Sigma are two distinct but complementary approaches: both aim to optimize operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product or service quality, but they differ in the details of their techniques and tools.

Lean methodology focuses on eliminating waste and optimizing processes, drawing on the principles of the Toyota Production System. This approach aims to reduce non-value-added activities such as waiting time, unnecessary movements, and overproduction.

The main Lean techniques include value stream mapping, just-in-time, and kanban.

On the other hand, Lean Six Sigma combines Lean principles with Six Sigma methodologies, which is based on reducing variability in processes. Six Sigma uses DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) as a framework for addressing problems and improving processes. This approach pays particular attention to data collection and analysis to identify the root causes of problems and develop data-driven solutions.

These two methodologies can be applied in any context and industry, from manufacturing to food & beverage, and even to service companies or in an administrative setting; however, companies with highly variable processes may benefit more from implementing Lean Six Sigma, while those with leaner production might opt for the traditional Lean approach.

Leadmentor is the first e-commerce that offers a range of products based on both methodologies that, through a “do it yourself” approach, can help managers and companies improve their results and achieve their goals: seeing is believing!