The “Measure” stage of DMAIC.

What is the “Measure” stage? The “Measure” stage is a critical element of the Lean Six Sigma approach to problem solving. It is the second stage of the 5-step model of DMAIC. (Define – Measure – Analyse – Improve – Control). In such a project we want to be able to quantify the improvement we’ve […]

The “Analyse” Stage of DMAIC.

What is the “Analyse” stage of DMAIC? Many Lean Six Sigma projects use the 5-step improvement model of DMAIC (Define – Measure – Analyse – Improve – Control). This method is often chosen where an existing business process requires improvement, and a team-based project approach has been deemed appropriate. DMAIC provides a logical sequence of […]

The “Improve” Stage of DMAIC.

​​​​​What is the “Improve” stage? Many Lean Six Sigma projects use the 5-step improvement model of DMAIC (Define – Measure – Analyse – Improve – Control). This method is often chosen where an existing business process requires improvement and a team-based project approach has been deemed appropriate. DMAIC provides a logical sequence of steps for […]

The “Control” Stage of DMAIC

What is the “Control” stage of DMAIC? Many Lean Six Sigma projects use a 5 step improvement model of DMAIC (Define – Measure – Analyse – Improve – Control).  Very often an improvement can work well for a while, then deteriorates and the process returns to its previous state of affairs. The “Control” stage of DMAIC […]

No time for rapid improvement?

No time for Rapid Improvement? Recently I visited a large organisation where I met a head of department (let’s call her Susan) and her team. The team’s remit was to recruit temporary, unskilled staff for the rest of the organisation. Susan and her colleagues admitted they were frustrated by the inefficiency of the recruitment process […]

The improvement story at Lestra Design

​The improvement story at Lestra Design Georges Mekies, General Manager of Lestra Design, was wondering what action he should take. For several years, Lestra had been trying to enter the Japanese market for duvets and eiderdowns, the largest market for these products in the world. At the time, Lestra Design was the leading manufacturer of […]

Is Lean Six Sigma a Fad?

Have you lived through endless new corporate initiatives? I have, and it can be tiresome. As an advocate of the improvement methodology known as Lean Six Sigma, I sometimes get asked, “is this just another fad”? Call me biased, but I hardly think so. For more than two decades I have dedicated myself to the […]