Open Access
Lean & Six Sigma Review Cover Story
by Parris, Andrew
While lean and Six Sigma are proven approaches whose methods produce results with proper implementation, they are keyed toward management personnel of factory processes. Because each can be applied by anyone to any process, including in office settings, it would be convenient if both lean and Six Sigma could be adapted to speak more to all workers instead of only quality professionals and trained managers. Additionally, because ordinary workers and office staff don't need further instructions on doing their jobs, it's more important to speak to ongoing, work-based habit forming while on the job. Shortening and focusing the key elements of lean and Six Sigma as they apply in an everyday setting, as for a poster that can be hung at work, results in the following seven habits of process improvement: organize the area, make work visual, standardize work, eliminate waste, prevent mistakes, make work flow and solve problems.
