An Overview of Lean Six Sigma Training
Although the word "Lean" in the phrase 'Lean Six Sigma' may appear to be a bit
confusing, not to mention misleading, one should remember that it is not all
that dissimilar from the standard Six Sigma certification strategy.
However, the Lean
Six
Sigma certification strategy is
characterized by the fact that it uses both, the Six Sigma strategy as well as
the Lean Manufacturing methodology. In this case, the Lean methodology mainly
aims at quickness and efficiency of the work done, whereas the
Six Sigma strategy
mainly focuses on elimination of defects and improving the quality of the
products.
Therefore, once both these methodologies are combined you have strategy that not
only provides you with the best quality products but also provides them at an
efficient speed.
Participation of Top
Management
When it comes to
imparting the Lean Six Sigma
training, more emphasis is put on top management, so that they become actively
involved in the training process. This is done in order to ensure that the
employees don't refuse to go along with the training process.
This usually tends to
happen when the trainers are appointed from places other than their organization
and employees simply don't seem to be comfortable with outsiders imparting the
Lean Six Sigma training to them. In
order to counter these acts or simply avoid such situations, it is important
that the company appoints the higher officials of the organization itself as
trainers so that they will command respect over the employees and at the same
time, resolves any of the employee's doubts with respect to the Lean Six Sigma
training process.
This
makes the training environment very comfortable for employees as well as for the
trainers.
The Role of Top
Management
When top
management commands respect from employees, it doesn't mean that those people
have to be present all the time during the Lean Six Sigma training process. The
catch is that the employees should be able to feel top management's presence
during the training process - and this simply calls for better involvement of
these higher officials during the imparting of the training.
The frequency of
the presence of top management or departmental heads should be there at least
three to four times a week. However, better involvement on the part of the
departmental heads does not mean that they are supposed to explain all of the
technical details of the strategy themselves to the employees.
That's because
that is something that a certified trainer is supposed to do, unless you are
well versed about the A-Z of Lean Six Sigma strategy. The department heads are
only supposed to teach the advantages of the Lean Six Sigma strategy and the
effects on its adoption.
They are
responsible of getting feedback from employees about the training process and
ways to improve the training so that it will be more beneficial to them.
The Results of Training
The results of
Lean Six Sigma training can easily be measured, provided that the employees know
what to do and when is the best time to do it. Another important thing to be
remembered is that more emphasis should be given on the practical tests instead
of the brief examination in a theoretical format.
This helps ion preparing the employees for any situation turning them into expert Lean Six Sigma strategists.