Applying CQI, Six Sigma, and Lean to Operations

Continuous Quality Improvement $($CQI$),$ Six Sigma, and Lean methodologies aim to improve operational quality and outcomes. Another popular approach to change projects to improve operations is the Plan$-$Do$-$Check$-$Act model or cycle $($PDCA$).$

According to Langabeer & Helton, Six Sigma identifies and reduces variability through data analysis, while Lean identifies and reduces waste by assessing the value of business activities. Both methodologies tend to be more disciplined approaches to improving healthcare operations and are much more data$-$intense that the traditional PDCA cycle prevalent in many healthcare organizations today.

Has your current or former employer deployed any projects using Lean or Six Sigma principles? Select either Option A or Option B below for your initial post. Use the questions provided to organize If your employer has NOT used Lean or Six Sigma:

$$ Describe a problem in operations that could benefit from a more disciplined approach to improvement

$$ Explain how either Six Sigma or Lean could have been deployed and why you would select one methodology over another

$$ Describe the outcomes you would expect as a result of the projectyour response: