Six Sigma Process: Process Improvement steps (DMAIC):

1. Define - select process
2. Measure - measure relevant variables
3. Analyze - determine root causes and alternatives
4. Improve - change process
5. Control - ensure improvements not lost over time

Lean and Six Sigma: Complementary approaches to improvement

• Lean seeks to eliminate waste (non-value-added)
• Six Sigma seeks to eliminate defects
• Lean uses part-time leaders and all employees
• Six Sigma uses full-time leaders and selected employees
• Lean requires limited training
• Six Sigma requires extensive training and experts
• Lean focuses on simpler projects
• Six Sigma takes on complex projects
• Lean projects may last a week or less
• Six Sigma projects may last for months

Discussion Question: Companies are now combining Lean and Six Sigma process improvement approaches. Please give an example when this may or may not be cost effective and efficient. Describe the problem, the process improvement steps you researched and your findings.

Include citations from the textbook or a scholarly article; MLA required.