For
the past few years the job search market for problem solvers has
shifted from employers looking for “Six Sigma” experts to a
search for “Lean Six Sigma” experts. But what is the difference,
really?
Some
say (Ultimus
Blog) that Six Sigma focuses on reducing errors by identifying
and controlling variation, while Lean focuses on speed and reducing
time and waste. They assert that Lean Six Sigma is
a methodology that combines increasing process speed with reducing
quality.
I
wholeheartedly agree with this definition, but I do feel that too
much emphasis has been placed on labeling our problem solving tools.
Potential employers seem to want to hire a label. Why hire a Six
Sigma Black Belt when you can hire a “Lean” Six Sigma Black Belt.
Ultimately,
the goal of a Black Belt (or any problem solver for that matter) is
to improve the system they are responsible for. No proper Black Belt
focuses only on reducing variation. In DMAIC, we first must define
our problem. Six Sigma teaches us to listen to the customer in order
to identify what to work on. That may be reducing errors, controlling
variation, finding root cause of a defect, or eliminating waste. Good
Black Belts don't care what the label of a problem is, they only care
that the problem is well defined and that they can select the proper
tools to solve that problem.
These
tools my be classic Six Sigma tools (PMAP, FMEA, DOE, Control Charts,
etc), they may be via problem definition and sorting tools ala
Shainin (r), or they may be waste identification and reduction tools
as used in Lean.
A
good Black Belt can use the tools they learned to reduce variation
and defects. A GREAT Black Belt continues his or her education and
learns whatever tools or techniques are required to do their job and
to solve problems in any area of the plant or office.
One
way to keep learning is to follow this Blog. I will periodically post
small articles highlighting thoughts on problem solving, new tools
for the practicing Black Belt, or new uses of old tools. Stay tuned!
Next
time - “Problem Definition: Well Defined, Half Solved”
Coming
soon – “PMAPs and Value Stream Maps – Which is Better?”
Sage thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIs not the" Label hiring" a result of the 'other half' of the hiring process not willing to take the time to correctly vet the people they are hiring? Is not the Lean Six Sigma craze not due the dilution of the MBA, PhD, and other prior advanced thinking degrees just as Lean is a "refinement to fit" of TPO and Shanin?!
I would agree that the 'automated' resume process does lead toward job applicants being forced to add the proper 'labels' to their applications. However, I would respectfully submit that Six Sigma, Lean, and some other 'problem solving' methodologies are not subsets of PhD, MBA educations but are a collection of focused tools and methodologies designed to address specific goals. While they cross over some, in general Lean focuses on flow and waste, Six Sigma on reducing variation and continuous improvement, and Shainin on rapid problem solving. A PhD in statistics can kick my a** in the proper application of ANOVA, but may not have the training in how to think about a problem and how to dig out the solutions. DId I address your comments?
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