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Root Cause Analysis (RCA): 5 Whys

Root Cause Analysis (RCA): 5 Whys

One of the tools of continuous improvement, the 5 Whys technique can help, for example, with root cause analysis (RCA) when determining how to solve problems. With 5 Whys you look at the relationship of cause and effect. Your goal is to repeat the question “why?” enough times to get to an answer that will […]

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Lean Process Improvement - Dummies Guide

Lean Process Improvement Techniques – Dummies Guide

Let’s look here at techniques for achieving Lean process improvements. When you begin to address a problem or improve a process some good techniques to get off to a good start include: • Determine the problem and process to address • Use a project charter What is a project charter? It is a document you […]

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What organizations are using Kata

What organizations are using Kata?

When it comes to a healthy workplace, it is safe to say that organization and careful planning are two of the key factors that go into making sure the business is set up for success. If there is no organization, things start to fall through, communication breaks down, and before you know it, everyone is […]

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Be More Efficient with Lean Process Improvement

How to Be More Efficient with Lean Process Improvement?

Even structured companies experience chaos and disorganization. These can come in the form of redundant work by employees, outdated documentation, and duplication in processes. This does not only cause stress to employees but it can also mean financial losses to the company. It is important to take note that processes are not chaotic in the […]

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six sigma business failure

Top 10 Mistakes When Managing a Six Sigma Project

Whether you are a new practitioner or seasoned pro, mistakes are inevitable in complex projects. In fact, the saying goes that you aren’t a true project manager before your first catastrophe. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from the mistakes of others (Lessons Learned, to those in the know!). Below are the top […]

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Six Sigma RCA Training - Decision Trees

How to Create a Decision Tree for Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis is an invaluable skill to have in your Six Sigma toolkit. But how do we use Root Cause Analysis to the best effect? What tool is most helpful for this task? That would be the Decision Tree. This method involves branching between causes and outcomes to illustrate the consequences of your choices. […]

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Avoid complacency and leave your comfort zone!

How to Avoid Complacency and Continually Improve with Six Sigma

Complacency is an epidemic. It kills productivity and can negatively affect your performance. Studies have shown that complacency comes from a lack of engagement, and affects up to 70% of the US working population. This means around three-quarters of American employees are not fully committed to their everyday workplace tasks! As an employer, this should […]

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Six Sigma, Kaizen, or Lean

Six Sigma, Kaizen, or Lean? What is the Difference?

Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Lean. You might have heard of them. People throw these terms around a lot nowadays, often interchangeably. But what do they mean? What makes them different? And are they so similar? Remember, each tool solves specific, specialized problems. This article will help you get to the bottom of this mystery so you […]

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The Five Whys - Root Cause Analysis in Six Sigma

The Five Whys: Understanding the Root Cause of a Problem

Is your company using Six Sigma to improve efficiency, eliminate waste, and minimize variation? Six Sigma has been a proven success for many businesses around the world dealing with similar problems. But where do these issues come from? How do they arise? And most importantly why? Six Sigma DMAIC teaches you to Define, Measure, Analyze, […]

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Go! Manage your Six Sigma project

Go: Guide to Running a Successful Six Sigma Project

This article is the third in our three-part series to help you achieve the best results using Six Sigma. You can read the previous two articles here. Now, go! You’ve made your plans and assembled your team, but what comes next is not always as easy (or as difficult!) as it may first appear. The […]

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Green Belt - Entry Level Salaries

Six Sigma Green Belts – What is their entry level salary?

Introduction With technological advancements and innovation in business processes, there came Six Sigma a systematic methodology to defeat defects and failures. Six Sigma is described as an engineering approach to minimize defects, counter failures and minimize waste in production system. It comprehensively deals flaws of a service system. Starting from automotive industry, Six Sigma entered […]

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Image: Lean Process Improvement

Understanding the Basics – Lean Process Improvement

If we are to understand the basics of Lean process improvement let’s start with a review of the definition of Lean. We can define Lean as a system for developing process improvement that is continuous and has a focus on reducing and eliminating waste. Toyota developed the concept to help with their production operation and […]

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TQM - Business Benefits

Achieve Business Excellence with Total Quality Management (TQM)

If you’re ready to improve your business’ performance, it’s hard not to recommend TQM. However, if you’re unfamiliar with this business methodology, the following will help. What Is TQM? Let’s cover the basics quickly. TQM stands for total quality management. This structured approach offers a comprehensive method for organizational management that focuses on improving the […]

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Lean in with Six Sigma

Lean In: How to Gather Support for Six Sigma in Your Company

Are you prepared to advocate and fully support Lean Six Sigma? If yes, how do you know? If no, how you reach that stage? These questions can be tiresome and their answers difficult to pin down. We’re here to make things easy for you. Today we will help you get ready for Lean Six Sigma (or recognize […]

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Beginner's Guide - VSM

Beginner’s Guide to Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

We look now at the Lean method of Value Stream Mapping (VSM). This is a method where you analyze a current state and design a future state where you look at events from the very beginning of the process to the very end with delivery to the customer. This can involve a product or service. […]

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Assemble your Six Sigma Project Team

Get Set: Prepare Your Six Sigma Project Team

This article is the second in our three-part series to help you achieve the best results using Six Sigma. You can read the whole article series here. Now, get set… Our three-part guide will act as the perfect primer on all the important Six Sigma project facts. Today we discuss how to assemble and prepare […]

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Get Planning! Six Sigma is a great tool for project success.

On Your Marks: Planning a Successful Six Sigma Project

This article is the first in our three-part series to help you achieve the best results using Six Sigma. Today we focus on planning a successful Six Sigma project. You can read parts 2 and 3 here. Now, on your marks . . .   If you’re new to Six Sigma, or just want to […]

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Total Quality Management

Understanding the Most Important Elements of Total Quality Management (TQM)

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management philosophy that strives to achieve the best possible results by centering all business activities and processes on customer satisfaction. Proper TQM implementation involves constant improvement and all members of the particular organization and expected to take part in the process. The main idea behind this approach is that […]

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Business Benefits of Lean Consulting

Big Business Benefits of Lean Consulting

When talking about big business in the context of efficiency, people’s minds often jump to economies of scale. But those are only attainable after all processes have been truly optimized. Unfortunately, the larger the scale, the more managerial manpower a company needs to make sure things run smoothly and margins stay as large as possible. […]

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Soft side of change management

The ‘Soft’ Side of Change Management | Lean 6 Sigma

Companies think of growth as an end in itself. Rather growth should be a mean towards a larger goal: that of serving the society. With such a noble goal in mind how can companies ignore the slice of society that works for them – their employees? Advocators of change harp on the bliss of information […]

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