Running successful business operations requires careful planning and a commitment to efficiency. An estimated 20 percent of companies in the US fail within their first year. Your company’s quality management depends on wise decisions for your processes and resources.
One of the best resources at your disposal is Six Sigma, as it’s one of the most effective project management tools. Access to the proper tools to build your brand will help you adapt to changes in the market. Lean Six Sigma tools are essential to building your brand and helping it reach its potential.
Luckily, you’ve come to the ideal place to learn about the best project management tools you can use to satisfy your clients and build your company’s reputation. Continue reading to take your brand to new heights today!
Choosing the Proper Lean Six Sigma Tools
It’s vital to note that Six Sigma tools aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You won’t find a universal situation with Six Sigma tools, but you can find the best application for each to determine which tool is ideal for your situation.
Start by learning about each tool and the benefits it provides. Knowing what each tool is used for will help you manage projects and make progress toward your goals. It’s an investment of time and energy, but it’s a step toward improving your operations.
It’s also vital to consider the context of the situation. It’s best to determine the ideal tool for your purpose and environment.
Six Sigma will also guide you on how to proceed by training your team members. Each person will be on the same page. It’s also beneficial to combine Six Sigma with graphs and performance metrics.
Best Lean Six Sigma Tools for Your Brand
Knowing which tools to try for your project starts with educating yourself about the purpose of each option. Some tools overlap in their purpose and execution. Learning about each will help you find the ideal application for each.
Here’s a look at the Six Sigma tools for your brand’s success.
DMADV
DMADV is a critical tool to learn to use for your company’s next project. It’s one of the best tools you can use to improve upon your existing processes.
The process starts by defining your needs and measuring your progress toward achieving those needs. You’ll analyze and design solutions before verifying the result. It’s among the most valuable tools to use for your established company.
DMAIC
DMAIC is another data-based tool you’ll use when using Lean Six Sigma for your company. It’s an acronym representing Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. You’ll want to use this tool when implementing new processes and systems for your company.
Becoming familiar with DMAIC is vital, as it’s the primary tool organizations use Six Sigma to improve efficiency. You’ll use data and measured objectives to improve your manufacturing processes.
The 5S System
The 5S System is a fantastic tool for improving your brand’s work processes and material management. You can use the 5S System to minimize the waste caused by poor workstations and conditions at your office or manufacturing plant.
If you want to improve organization and cleanliness at your workplace, the 5S System is an excellent start. You’ll eliminate waste and improve your brand’s productivity. Here’s a look at the five S’s.
Seiri
Seiri is Japanese for “sort,” and it’s a principle that involves eliminating all clutter from the workspace except for the essentials. You’ll want to remove extra items from production with the Seiri step in the process.
Seiton
Seiton involves organization for your workplace. The principle means “to set in order,” and it dictates that you eliminate or reduce clutter through enhanced organization practices. Organize your remaining items by labeling them.
Seiso
The Seiso step of the 5 S’s represents the cleanliness required to improve your company’s output. Seiso means “shine” in Japanese, representing your company’s commitment to improvement and efficiency.
Seiketsu
Standardization is another step toward progress for your business. Seiketsu means “Standardize,” and it encourages you to determine your standards and encourage your employees to live by them.
Shitsuke
The last S is shitsuke, which means “Sustain,” based on your management’s ability to maintain and uphold the standards you’ve set. You want to reinforce these standards to help your employees develop the habit of following them.
The Five Whys
The Five Whys is another Lean Six Sigma tool for building your business into an efficient powerhouse. You can use the Five Whys to determine the root cause of your brand’s struggles. You’ll need to continue asking “Why” until you get to the bottom of the issues you must overcome.
You can start by meeting with your teams and writing down each problem so everyone can see them and begin working through them. Next, ask why the problem occurred. Allow your team members to work through each “why” to make further progress.
If the first answer doesn’t identify the cause of the issue, ask again. Continue the process five times until you arrive at the root cause. It’s a fantastic tool for root cause analysis.
It’s worth noting that you can ask more than five questions with this Lean Six Sigma tool. Consider visiting https://www.theleansixsigmacompany.us/ to learn more about making progress with your next project.
The Kanban System
Kanban is Japanese for “billboard,” and it’s a Six Sigma tool you should consider using if you’re invested in process improvement. The focus of the Kanban system is your supply chain. You can reduce costs to your brand by implementing a just-in-time approach to your supply chain.
You’ll only activate your supply chain once you need it. View your business’s resources and supply chain as you would with a visit to the supermarket. You’d focus on purchasing immediate needs rather than items you’ll need in the months and years to come.
It’s one of the project management tools that will help your business operations become leaner. You’ll gain the flexibility to adjust to consumer wants and demands.
Value Stream Mapping
Value Stream Mapping, or VSM, is a tool you can use to improve your lean manufacturing operations. You can use it to map your manufacturing processes’ material and information flows. It’s one of the best tools to improve efficiency throughout your business.
You’ll find two stages to VSM. Have your team draw a visual representation of each function in the material and information flow to begin mapping. It’s an effective way to create a production path from the beginning to the end.
Next, have your team members draw a map of the future state and the ideal flow of material and information. The process helps you identify value-enabling, value-adding, and non-value-adding activities. These activities will help you know what you can do to add value to your existing processes.
Voice of the Customer
Another tool to use for project management and process improvement is the Voice of the Customer. The VOC helps you diagnose the needs of your target audience to provide products that meet demand and ease pain points.
You can gather information through warranty claims, focus groups, and customer interviews. Social media accounts are another fantastic option when collecting data through VOC.
After gathering the information, your team can develop ideas to help determine the best steps to take to improve your processes. Use a Voice of the Customer Table to gain a clearer understanding of customer needs and wants.
Poka Yoke
Mistake-proofing is an essential component of a lean and productive business. It’s a stalwart of your quality management efforts.
The Lean Six Sigma tool is designed to correct human and mechanical errors you encounter during the manufacturing process. The goal is to identify these errors as early in the process as possible. Doing so will save time and money for your company.
Combine your Poka Yoke efforts with standardization. The combination will help you minimize mistakes and boost efficiency.
Kaizen
Kaizen is another Japanese process improvement theory based on the need for continuous improvement. You’ll continue observing, identifying, and investing in incremental improvement for your project management needs.
The process involves assistance from all managers and team members. These individuals are pivotal to initiating and implementing your desired improvements through project management tools.
You can use Kaizen to eliminate minor inefficiencies that add up during the manufacturing process. Each team member pools their talents, experience, and knowledge to improve the business’s operations. You’ll also reduce waste by using this Six Sigma tool.
Implement These Lean Six Sigma Tools Today
Investing in Lean Six Sigma tools is one of the best ways to improve operations and get more from your budget and resources. The tools for process improvement and quality management are essential to reduce waste, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and ease customer pain points. Combine the Five Whys and Kanban System with Kaizen to take your company to the top of the industry.
Learning to use performance metrics to create an efficient company is a vital step toward finding sustainability. Read our Business guides and articles for industry insights to help your company grow today!
Wayne Probert is a senior reporter at Zobuz, covering state and national politics, and he is a grantee with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Before joining Zobuz, he worked as a freelance journalist in Kentucky, having been published by dozens of outlets including NPR, the Center for Media.
