Six sigma vs Lean manufacturing. What's hotter ?

But now a days organizations follow - Lean Six Sigma, a mixture of both techniques.

Lean was developed in Japan as part of Toyota Production System. i would like ti disagree with the statement on Lean is less structured.

Kaizen is the quicker version of six sigma (DMAIC cycle) which uses Lean and six sigma tools to resolved speed related issues. Companies like 3M as dedicated every friday as innovation day using Lean sigma tools under Kaizen structured concept.

I support the views of Isha Verma.

Further I add as below:

Lean manufacturing concept as developed in Japan primarily deals with innovation, process improvement, internal/external customer satisfaction etc. It questions the existing methodologies to reduce wastages and to bring in better value added concept for the best interests of manufacturer and the customer as well. Some of the added benefits come from ‘5S’ and ISO14000/ 18000.

 As such this concept is predominantly used in industries.

The slogan of ‘Six sigma’ is … we have to be perfect. All over the world very few companies practice it as it is extremely difficult and to my opinion sometimes tend to be theoretical rather than practical. Moreover, it is basically quality improvement technique through QTM (Quality Through Measurement) though it is extended to general improvements.

AS such, I personally feel Lean Manufacturing  is better tool and practicable as well.

 Thank you.

Here, the term "versus" does not apply. Both these tools are for productivity and quality optimization. They are complementary to each other & not "versus" each other.

But, in terms of their impact, Lean Manufacturing is a technique, which take all components of Production cost in it's scope and is more versatile.

Six Sigma is of course very effective. But, it is a statistical technique, which shows the degree to which process is capable. The decisions required to improve process capability, requies expertise on process and accuracy of decision. In a way, powerful decision making, expert knowledge of the process and accurate implementation holds the key in process & Quality improvement. Six Sigma is merely a statistical tool to help this process.

Lean should be preferred over six-sigma. In other words Lean should be used as much as possible. When it comes to complex issues of OPSI, design of experiments six sigma should be used wisely.

Since ancient time we have been using experience gathered for continual improvement. Lean is nothing but systematically applying the previously gathered knowledge for quick improvements, increasing profitability.

When it comes to day to day life working, common service places, small manufacturing units, businesses, shops etc. Lean Tools are very useful. They are less expensive and show good results. It requires common sense and open mind.

Six sigma is useful tool when there is large data available for analysis. It requires use of statistical tools. It is powerful for resolving complex issues.

Six sigma became popular after 1990, and people started applying it even to small common issues. Thus it started showing negative effect. For want of data defect use to continue existing as bosses wanted resolutions six sigma way.

From my point of view as a person who represents the financial industry and banking sector, the idea of lean manufacturing is all about the improvement of internal processes in commercial or investment bank and in this case it has matured to the 5C approach. The idea of Six Sigma, again in the sector of finances and banking, is all about the risk management. I think VAR approach is a brother-in-law of Six Sigma approach. So, for banking & finances sector, I would not compare LM vs Six Sigma. They supplement each other in terms of improving the internal processes and providing the comprehensive risk management practice. But I think each improvement in the financial institution should start from the improvement of internal processes to minimize the operational risks in the first place and create the firm ground for building the comprehensive risk management approach. If you have immature processes that drives high operational risks, you won't be able to provide your clients with services of high quality. Thus you will lose your clients and the bigest risk for you in this case is being kicked out by your competitors and going out of the business.