What Can We See from 30,000 Feet?

If you have flown on a journey of any reasonable length, no doubt your aircraft has climbed to a flight level of 30,000 feet or higher. This is a space where aircraft operate at their highest efficiency. Putting aside an aerodynamics discussion, from the cabin the view can be quiet spectacular. As the scenic landmarks pass away below, passengers are typically mesmerized by the view they are taking in. It’s all encompassing. However, one of the more important views offered at that altitude is mostly seen by the pilots, and it is for the safe operation of the aircraft. That view is of thunderstorms. Besides using advanced radar equipment, the pilots get a long range and accurate view of storms in their flight path. This view allows the pilots to make decisions and adjustments to the route of the aircraft to ensure a safe flight.

Predictive Measurements from 30,000 Feet

The benefits of a view from 30,000 feet in Six Sigma is crucial. The chart provides a means to create a predictive measurement statement, which quantifies what internal or external customers of a process are experiencing over time. Much like the view from an aircraft at 30,000 feet, it allows for timely process adjustments to be made in a timely manner. The metrics will allow flexible response to the natural peaks and valleys of a process. The results of the adjustments can also been seen and interpreted and provide further input to their effectiveness. The 30,000-foot-level chart tracks the impact that this and other process inputs have on the response output.

The Benefits of a View from 30,000 Feet

The view from a cockpit at 30,000 feet is a significant advantage to the pilots as they streak across continents and bodies of water. It allows them ample time to respond and adjust to situations that could present a danger to their flight operations. The 30,000 foot level report with predictive measurements offers the same advantages to a business. It creates a situational advantage for the business to respond to changes in their processes and see how those changes impact the outcomes.

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What Does Lean Focus On?

Lean focuses on reducing the eight types of waste (Muda).  Defects, overproduction, waiting, non-utilized talent, waste from transportation, inventory waste, waste from motion, unnecessary processing. Additionally, Lean principles aim to reduce waste by identifying and eliminating it. Lean also improves production by maximizing flow and identifying non-value-adding steps you should remove. Anything that does not add value for the customer is a potential threat to production. As such, Lean uses a holistic approach that aims to build a culture of continuous improvement and in-depth analysis.

Lean Principles, Tools, and Techniques

• PDCA. Standing for Plan, Do, Check, Act, PDCA is a rapid cycle-based strategy used to drive process improvement.

• 5S is a 5-step method for creating and maintaining an intuitive and efficient workplace. The 5 Ss stand for Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain.

• 8 Types of Waste. Lean aims to eliminate the eight waste types: defects, overproduction, waiting, non-utilized talent, waste from transportation, inventory waste, waste from motion, and unnecessary

• Value Stream Maps. VSMs are a visual method for displaying the key process steps in production.

• Flow is the unhindered movement of a process.

• Pull describes how customer demand is used to dictate process flow, i.e. what the customer wants, or might want, determines what a company produces.

What does Six Sigma Focus On?

Six Sigma and Lean share many similarities. As such, they complement each other very well. However, Six Sigma focuses primarily on reducing variation, just one of the seven types of waste Lean tackles. Six Sigma is used to complete improvement projects, aimed at solving process issues. It is also highly data-oriented, involving validation of hypotheses using statistics. Six Sigma knowledge is classified using a belt-based hierarchy styled on martial arts (Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black Belt). The higher the belt, the more adept you are at using Six Sigma. Furthermore, one of Six Sigma’s primary tools is a 5-step method with which to complete improvement projects.

Six Sigma Ideas, Tools, and Techniques

• DMAIC. This 5-step method uses the following steps, Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control to improve production processes. Furthermore, DMAIC also allows you to identify the problem and develop creative solutions through deep analysis.

• Project Charter. Six Sigma uses a single-page document to outline the process issue, project goal, scope, and a timeline. Moreover, the charter forms an essential framework for the trajectory of an improvement project.

• Pareto Chart. Pareto Charts display information about potential causes of process issues in a cascading bar chart format. Additionally, you should also organize problems from largest to smallest.

• Hypothesis Testing. Hypothesis Testing is a way of providing statistical precision to root causes of process problems, so you can make the best decisions.

• Design of Experiments. Methods of controlled testing, with which to assess how efficient processes are. DoE also allows you to select the best conditions, materials, and methods for each.

• Statistical Process Control. SPC enables you to monitor your processes, ensuring they consistently satisfy customer demand.

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The Apps

TaktCalc 1.0. Vendor: John James. Released: July 26^th Price $4.99.

This useful app can help you just as much on the store floor as in the factory. Likewise, the app focuses on calculating takt time and Kanban sizes, making Lean Six Sigma implementation a whole lot easier.

Sigmalator: The Sigma Value Calculator 1.0. Vendor: TayDan Enterprises LLP. Released: August 1^st Price: $0.99.

The Sigmalator is useful for low-level project team members as well as for executive Six Sigma decisions. Additionally, it allows you to calculate sigma levels of your processes as well as the percentage of variation per million units. It can also help solve all your 1.5 sigma shift needs.

Lean Six Sigma Coach App. Vendor: Procise. Released: July 14^th 2016 (updated). Price: Free!

Recently revamped, this highly effective app uses a simplified interface for maximum ease of use, with Green Belt and Black Belt exam prep. Furthermore, the app is useful for process improvement and Lean Six Sigma implementation.

Six Sigma Process Aid & Design Patterns Process Aid. Vendor: UML. Price: Free!

UML’s invaluable app lets you calculate sigma process levels, generate histograms of data, look up methods, strategies and definitions. Similarly, it also provides useful Six Sigma tools and information.

LeanKit. Vendor: LeanKit. Price: Free!

The leading Kanban app LeanKit aims to please. Not only can it help you visualize your work and process flow (not to mention your value stream), but it effective collaboration. In addition, LeanKit ensures you make the most of Six Sigma by identifying improvement opportunities for you.

Upward Mobility’s Green Belt and Black Belt Test Prep Apps. Vendor: Upward Mobility. Price: $4.99 each.

Upward Mobility create valuable, engaging Six Sigma apps to. With hundreds of Green and Black Belt questions and useful study and test modes, this app can help you maximize project success and hone your Six Sigma training and skills.

Normal Probability App. Vendor: Normal Probability. Price: Free!

The Normal Probability app allows you to calculate critical values and probabilities on the go. With helpful tips on population standard deviation and standard normal distribution, this is ideal for either the Six Sigma student or teacher.

ProStats 1.22. Vendor: Software Engineering Inc. Released: March 9^th Price: $2.99.

Software Engineering Inc.’s brilliant app enables users to perform statistical processes at home, on the bus, or at work. It includes everything from non-parametric tests, regression analysis, histograms and box plots, plus standard deviation and p-values.

iGuides: Basics of Six Sigma 1.0. Vendor: Arctic Gerbil. Released: December 16^th Price: $2.99.

The iGuides Six Sigma app offers a great introduction to all things Six Sigma, with an overview of important tools, methods and ideas.

Go Lean 1.0. Vendor: PointAbout Inc. Released: February 3^rd Price: Free!

The GoLean app has everything you need, including Six Sigma articles, videos and press releases, as well as a useful glossary of Lean terms.

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