Lean Six Sigma is very similar to traditional 6 Sigma with a few added elements.  Read on to find out more.

To understand Lean Six Sigma, it is good to understand as much about 6 Sigma in general as possible.  The normal rules of Six Sigma apply when using lean methodology, but the added elements are business streamlining and waste reduction.  The professionals working within the company to improve the quality of products or services will also be looking for ways to streamline the company, ridding it of excess baggage.

Streamlining is necessary when the processes a company is using are bogged down by old methods or strict rules.  There are five simple principles used in the lean Six Sigma method.  These rules are simple to understand and completely logical when looked at from a business standpoint.  

•    The first principle is the law of the market, which puts the customer ahead of everything.  All company employees, from the executives to the mailroom must think about the customers before anything else.  It is wise for them to realize that without customers, there can be no business at all.  

•    The second principle is termed the law of flexibility.  This is a term used when processes that are currently being used are solid and not adjustable.  It is important for the processes to have flexibility so that they can be used in different situations more easily.

•    The third principle teaches the company employees to focus directly on the problems that are hindering the progress of the company.  A company with no growth will not be able to do business with companies that are using more modern and efficient processes.  Sometimes businesses will become so wrapped up with the problems they cannot focus on the root issues.  The Six Sigma professionals will be focusing on finding the issues within the company.  Once these issues are defined the employees of the company need to be able to balance the resolutions they must put in place with their daily business practices.

•    The fourth principle that Six Sigma professionals rely on when using the streamlining method is to weed out the extra details that are slowing down the processes. This is termed the law of velocity.  When a process has many steps to complete, chances are there are some that can be eliminated somehow, because of modern technology or some other form of progress.  

•    The fifth principle is simply to keep it simple.  It is called the law of complexity.  Like the streamlining that is done to keep the procedures down to only a few steps, taking out the unnecessary details helps company executives realize what is the most valuable element or the most important issue that needs attention.