Operational infrastructure for the execution of uncoupled lean six sigma projects
Export citation
Abstract
Six Sigma is a methodology focused on minimizing variability in a process, resulting in a
reduction of defects and under-control operations. However, it is not related with the systemic
flow process improvement and its response rates. On the other hand, Lean helps to reduce
process complexity focusing in these two last aspects and not in variability and reliability of them.
By mixing those complementing approaches in a model called Lean Six Sigma, companies
aim to improve both response rates and quality for their products/services. Therefore, with Six
Sigma it is possible to get products under specifications, while Lean would be employed to simplify
the process, reducing lead time and resources.
Tecnológico de Monterrey, using guidelines of Axiomatic and Structured Design, developed
an operative Lean Six Sigma model with Value Stream Map as an integrator element. However, the
necessary infrastructure to manage such model still needed to be defined.
A Lean Six Sigma organization, as every human organization, is a complex system. The viable
System Model, developed by Dr. Stafford Beer, is a cybernetic model applied to deal with those
administrative Systems. Using this model as reference, general guidelines for: organization
structure design; innovation management; self-sufficiency; traceability of changes and
management problems detection, were developed.
The purpose of this research is to design guidelines and policies for Project Execution using
Viable System Model as a tool for diagnosing the management approaches proposed for Lean and
Six Sigma methodologies; identifying critical success factors for supporting the Lean Six Sigma
infrastructure Model selected and designing a system capable of its administration that serves as a
guide in future “In company” deployments.