Six Sigma vs Lean Six Sigma: Know the Difference

Every firm strives to increase its profits in two ways: by acquiring more consumers and by minimizing waste and losses. When it comes to optimizing corporate operations and removing waste, there is an ongoing discussion in the business world about whether Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma is the better system to employ. Prospective employers may frequently search for Six Sigma certification or Lean Six Sigma certification if they are pursuing a career in the technology, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, or service industries. 

Six Sigma and lean sigma six are two distinct paths, frequently leading to the perplexing question of which certification is better for you. This article will clarify the distinction between the process of earning Six Sigma and lean Sigma six certification.

What is the Six Sigma certification?

Motorola created Six Sigma in 1986 to ensure product and process quality. People’s perceptions of quality have shifted worldwide due to Motorola’s success.

Six Sigma certification was created with a single purpose: to reduce variation and fault rates in manufacturing processes using statistical analysis. Six Sigma employs one of two 5-step methodologies to accomplish this: the DMAIC method or the DMADV method. Six Sigma is all about detecting faults in the supply chain, identifying problems, and resolving them as efficiently as possible. 

• DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) – When changes are made to an existing product, service, or process to make it better.
• DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Value) – The process of designing a new product, service, or process.

What is the Lean Six Sigma certification?

Toyota Production System pioneered lean thinking in the 1990s. The fundamental goal of this method is to eliminate waste of any type, including money, time, and other resources. This can be accomplished by examining each process and eliminating ineffective stages. This technique is based on two fundamental concepts: Just in Time (JIT) and Jidoka. 

The evolution of business processes is widespread to adapt to contemporary technology and expectations. Six Sigma is no exception, and it was developed into a methodology that focuses on process speed and quality through the combination of lean management practices. Lean Six Sigma employs the same DMAIC approach as Six Sigma and has the same organizational structure: Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt.

What is the difference between the two?

Both of these purposes have great importance in any business process. Both of these serve similar purposes and have similar goals of making the process more effective. However, the key differences and similarities between the two are listed below. 

Purpose

• Six Sigma aims to eliminate faults or defects that impede the ability to provide high-quality services. Six Sigma’s goal is to redesign the process, so that process variances are limited to 3.4 faults per million. Simply said, Six Sigma focuses on the client and the end product. 

• Lean Six Sigma emphasizes both waste removal and process acceleration. It works to reduce process variation, resulting in a faster cycle of iterative improvements. Simply put, Lean Six Sigma is concerned with waste and production methods.

Belts

• Six Sigma Green Belt certification is ideal for you if you are an experienced expert who has supported quality improvement projects.

• If you do not have any experience, you can pursue the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, which has no prerequisites. You can also learn the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology and other aspects of Lean Six Sigma.

Application

• Lean Six Sigma certification is ideal for businesses that want to streamline their processes and provide great value to their customers.

• Automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, electronics, and transportation industries rely on Six Sigma professionals’ knowledge. Many process engineering, quality assurance, and manufacturing positions require Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Conclusion 

The application of both of these methods has a great impact on a business. It not only cuts waste but also increases profit. Using both or any of these approaches in the organization will produce highly favourable results. The results could include variations and faults, decreased waste, improved quality, shorter cycle times, increased customer satisfaction, potential to enter new markets, cost savings, faster throughput, and so on. However, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma training requires understanding complicated processes and technologies.