8 Things Lean Six Sigma is NOT (for LSS Practitioners)

8 Things Lean Six Sigma is NOT

1. 8 Things
Lean Six Sigma
is NOT
By Megan Sawtelle
for LinkedIn

2. A waste reduction
principle
Waste elimination is just ONE
aspect of Lean. In reality, it's a
set of tools to help you maintain
the balance and harmony of
your organization.
@megansawtelle on LinkedIn

3. Absent of data
In reality, data is at EVERY point
in Lean Six Sigma. From process
improvements to simple gemba
walks, data drives every Lean
decision.
@megansawtelle on LinkedIn

4. Easy
60% of Lean Six Sigma
initiatives fail. Why? Because
Lean is an integration of 5
elements, and needs at least 2-3
years just to start to see first set
of long term gains.
@megansawtelle on LinkedIn

5. Implementing
projects with poor
management
If you don't invest in innovation,
infrastructure, or technology,
do NOT expect Lean to be the
magic wand to fix your
company.
@megansawtelle on LinkedIn

6. Possible without
stable processes
Similarly, without having your
processes in a state of control is
playing with fire.
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7. Just walking
blindly
If you don't know WHY you're
implementing Lean, you won't
see any results — this is why
you need SMART goals AND
data.
@megansawtelle on LinkedIn

8. Mean
Change is essential in a
business that wants to survive.
If your employees or leaders
can't support change — it's time
to ask if they're the right
employees for you.
@megansawtelle on LinkedIn

9. Without people
development
If you aren’t going to look at
people and how they have
developed themselves as part of
your Lean effort, you haven’t
implemented Lean!
@megansawtelle on LinkedIn