Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

• What are the Seven wastes of Lean?
Lean is the process of eliminating waste from manufacturing typically:- over production where goods exceed customer's demand in a certain time period, errors / rework by applying preventative measures, excess inventory cover up problems, use space effectively, taking too long to deliver or move goods, excessive transit times incurred by people or moving material and waiting time for colleagues or facilities or components.

• What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma processes follow a normal distribution (Bell curve) in that the further Sigma is away from the mean the less defects per million opportunities (DPMO) occur i.e. 1 Sigma processes produce 691,482 DPMO (69% defective) whereas 6 Sigma processes produce 3.4 DPMO (0.00034% defective).

• What is Lean Six Sigma?
It is the combination of Lean and Six Sigma using tools to eliminate process waste and reducing process variability.

• How can Lean Six Sigma improve your business?
Lean Six Sigma optimises your business through organisational (vision, values and leadership) and operational excellence (ISO compliance, Six Sigma and supply chain management).

• Can Lean Six Sigma be applied to any business?
Yes, it can be applied to any business from offices, warehouses, production lines, building construction, banking sector right down to small business where competitive edge is paramount.

• How effective are Lean Six Sigma consultants?
As a rule of thumb consultants can make savings of up to 20 times their fee

• What's the typical duration of Lean Six Sigma projects?
Projects vary in timescale from as little as 3 months up to 12 depending on scope of assignment.

• Are Lean Six Sigma Consultants available for short or long term assignments?
Yes, either on a daily, weekly or monthly basis as the stakeholder or mentoring the project team.

• What's the difference between Yellow, Green and Black belt?
Yellow belts have basic the knowledge of Lean Six Sigma / key techniques and their application, Green belts are the doers in the Lean Six Sigma project team whereas Black Belts are the mentors steering and guiding both Green & Yellow belts.

• What training courses are available in Lean Six Sigma?
Weekly training courses are available to Yellow, Green and Black Belt standard and certified by passing a written examination upon completion.