You are here: Lean Six Sigma Home

Genchi Genbutsu: Go and See, Part 4

by Pete Abilla on July 16, 2010

When we make decisions, cast judgments, or form an opinion without having observed, talked with, or experienced the situation first hand, it leads to poor decisions. In this article on Genchi Genbutsu, I’ll discuss the following aspect of Genchi Genbutsu: Genchi Genbutsu helps us develop empathy: “Go and See” helps us link high-level thinking with [...]

{ 0 comments }

Stakeholder Analysis

by Pete Abilla on July 16, 2010

example and instructions for creating a stakeholder analysis

A “stakeholder” can be defined as: Any individual, group, or institution who has a vested interest in the natural resources of the project area and/or who potentially will be affected by project activities and have something to gain or lose if conditions change or stay the same. Stakeholders are all those who need to be [...]

{ 0 comments }

Genchi Genbutsu: Go and See, Part 3

by Pete Abilla on July 15, 2010

In general, most conflict is based on different perspectives. In  business, this means that people see the problem differently. Because people don’t understand the problem the same way, there are arguments and disagreements on the solution. Have you ever experienced this? Genchi Genbutsu counteracts the situation above by the following: Genchi Genbutsu helps to gain [...]

{ 0 comments }

Voice of the Customer (VOC)

by Pete Abilla on July 15, 2010

voice of the customer, process improvement, lean six sigma

The “Voice of the Customer” is a process used to capture the requirements or feedback from the customer (internal or external) to provide them with a service or product that meets their articulated needs1. This assumes that the customer know what they want and need. Of course, this is not always true, so this common [...]

{ 0 comments }

Lean Six Sigma: The DMAIC Framework

by Pete Abilla on July 14, 2010

In an earlier post, I asked how Lean and Six Sigma can work together. In a later post, I shared that Lean and Six Sigma have a common history. In this post, I’ll explain the Six Sigma Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) Framework. Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) To put Six Sigma into practice, a practical framework it uses is called [...]

{ 0 comments }

Lean Six Sigma: Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) and A3

by Pete Abilla on July 14, 2010

Compared to the DMAIC Framework of Six Sigma, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) in Lean Thinking is much simpler, yet incredibly powerful. Let me explain each step in the PDCA Framework1. Plan Recognize an opportunity and plan a change. Do Test the change. Carry out a small-scale study. Check Review the test, analyze the results and identify what [...]

{ 1 comment }

A Grave Error: Arlington National Cemetery Quality Problems

by Pete Abilla on July 13, 2010

At least 211 United States veterans are in unmarked or unrecorded graves in Arlington National Cemetery 1. Army officials report that remains were found in graves listed as “empty” and several urns were discovered on a “pile of dirt”. Like most quality problems, this is most likely just the tip of the iceberg. There are [...]

{ 0 comments }

Affinity Diagram

by Pete Abilla on July 13, 2010

A common tool in process improvement is the Affinity Diagram. It’s a simple exercise that encourages low-risk participation and it is effective in documenting most of the relevant issues with a specific topic. What is an Affinity Diagram An Affinity Diagram (sometimes referred to as a “KJ”, after the initials of the person who created [...]

{ 0 comments }

46 of 101« First4445464748Last »