What is the Difference Between Lean and Six Sigma?

The primary difference between Lean and Six Sigma is their focus and approach to improving efficiency within an organization:

• Lean:
• Focuses on optimizing processes by eliminating waste and increasing flow.
• Adopts a mindset or set of principles that, when applied holistically, enables smarter decision-making.
• Seeks to achieve a better end-product quality.
• Less focused on manufacturing and often shapes every facet of a business.
• Waste is defined as any process or activity that does not add value to the customer.
• Six Sigma:
• Focuses on improving operations by reducing process variation and maximizing consistency.
• A data-driven methodology that uses the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) approach.
• Originally developed by Motorola and later adopted by other companies, such as GE.
• Waste results from variation within a process.
• Suitable for reducing variability and risk in a more complex environment.

Lean Six Sigma, on the other hand, combines the best of both Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, creating a powerful toolkit for addressing waste reduction and process improvement across various industries. Some organizations choose to infuse their Six Sigma implementation with Lean principles, making it more suitable for their needs.

Comparative Table: Lean vs Six Sigma

Here is a table comparing Lean and Six Sigma:

Both Lean and Six Sigma are process improvement methodologies, but Lean focuses on eliminating waste in processes, while Six Sigma aims to reduce unpredictability and increase efficiency in processes. Lean originated from the Toyota Production System and was later adapted to various industries. On the other hand, Six Sigma was developed as a standalone process improvement methodology.

Lean and Six Sigma can be combined to create a hybrid technique called Lean Six Sigma, which allows organizations to improve their processes and offer the best of both methods. This combination helps organizations reduce costs, waste, and improve the quality and speed of operations and output.