Any tool or method is only as good as people who are using it.

Lean Six Sigma is a blend of tools and techniques that can be used to support business transformation. Yes, you heard that right. Problem-solving, continuous improvement, change implementation, and many more form the LSS body of knowledge. Forget about 3.4ppm. It is unlikely that you will ever get to that. Instead of focusing on the utopian dream of the statistician, get your eyes on the real prize – business excellence.

It’s not bragging if it’s true

Last year one group of our students (10) scored collectively over £100k in annual cost savings for their businesses. None of them used advanced statistics or had to pay for the Minitab licence. What was the secret of their success?

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Focusing on the human element of DMAIC.

Every tool and technique used to facilitate the improvement of the performance (process or business) involve human interaction.

Let me say that again

Every tool and technique used to facilitate the improvement of the performance (process or business) involve human interaction.

Human interaction is the single most neglected factor contributing to the overall results of a project. For some reason, schools, academies, teachers, and trainers focus on tools with very little consideration of the real-life application. This, my friend, is how you nurture the culture of failure. Controversial? Good! Now I have your attention 😉

Get buy-in from the team

If you spend enough time studying, you can learn any tool or technique. Anyone can. Time is the only factor. However, all of this will go for nothing if you won’t know how to engage people. How to get their buy-in.

Here is the list of topics that should be studied along with the Lean Six Sigma (or any other toolbox) to enable successful performance improvement:

1. Change implementation (e.g. Kotter’s model)
2. Stakeholder analysis
3. Effective communication (incl. conflict management)
4. Communication styles (e.g. D.A.R.E.)
5. ROI (basic concepts of business finance)

Now you know how to go out and sell your idea. You have increased your chances for project funding. Your vision is understood, and goals appreciated by the management. Finance department does not go crazy on your spend proposal.

Sure, there are other skills you may want to hone to get to the next level. I consider the list above as a bare minimum. It does make sense if you think about real-life applications.

What do you think? Is there anything you would immediately add to this list? Please share in the comments below.

Have a great day!