It is all too easy to dismiss process improvement
initiatives as the “flavor of the month.”
This characterization may even have some truth in it,
especially when it comes to the “one size fits all”
programs offered by some technical assistance teams and
consultants.
Some elements of these programs may help your
operations perform more effectively, at least in certain
areas. But if you want to ensure a lasting effect and
continuous improvement, you need approaches with more
“staying power.”
This column examines two proven approaches that
currently are very popular: “lean” and “six sigma.”
Both methods offer opportunities to use many of the
quality management tools that have been described in
previous installments of this column.
As the discussion below makes clear, both lean and
six sigma work best when they are implemented using the
structured decision-making tools featured in the Systems
Approach for Process Improvement.TM The Systems
Approach enhances both lean and six sigma -- and can
even help integrate the two methodologies.