ABSTRACT
This chapter describes two methodological approaches to Lean Six Sigma (LSS). The first approach to LSS is the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control methodology. The sponsor plays a vital role in the Define phase by communicating requirements, goals, and guidance to the team and steering the project and managing the budget. Identifying a problem area is the first step in LSS and process improvement to eliminate waste. This step can entail a broad and brief description of a problem based on observation; however, the problem must be quantifiable. Once the team has become acquainted and shares a common understanding of the problem, its first task is to understand the process as a whole. A clear problem statement will guide future work in process improvement and help to orient a team. The process maps identify the boundaries of the problem scoped and finalized during the Define phase.
