Liam Frady

Solving a problem in a business context can be extremely daunting at first glance. As a general example, it isn’t quite like looking for where a recipe went wrong. Even the simplest of business processes are complex when taken as a whole. As such, you need the right tools for the job. With […]

Automation seems like all the rage these days. While it is certainly nothing new, especially for those well-versed in manufacturing, it is making a splash elsewhere. Automation is a useful tool, but it is only part of the proverbial equation regarding day-to-day operations. So, why not dive deeper into the subject and see […]

What are the real advantages of hybrid vs. remote work? There has been quite a bit of talk since the start of the pandemic about the merits of remote work. For many organizations, this is the only way they could exist for any period. However, there has been a push to return to […]

Is your company leveraging design thinking? There are several different approaches to accomplishing a project or delivering a new product. For some organizations, implementing Lean principles and frequent Kaizen events is the way to go. For others, it might require a comprehensive overhaul of their organization to embrace TQM. Design thinking is similar […]

FMEA is one of the most powerful approaches to safeguarding your projects from failures and defects. It isn’t a cakewalk to implement, but in the right hands, it can make projects run without a hitch. As you’re already used to utilizing data in making decisions, it only makes sense to start using this […]

How do you use fishbone diagrams to get to the root of a problem? Fishbone diagrams are one of the 7 QC tools afforded to us by Lean Six Sigma and one of the most effective at determining issues. These are simple tools to use, meaning anyone in your team can leverage their […]

What are some real-life SIPOC applications in the field of manufacturing? While Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies can be applied to any industry, they truly excel when pointed toward something like manufacturing. When you get right down to it, manufacturing is one of the most complex undertakings a business can undergo. What that in […]

Is SIPOC still worth using? Lean and Six Sigma have many tools for improving or designing new processes. You’ll see SIPOC diagrams often touted, but there are other tools where you might find they are better suited for your needs. Today, we’re looking at a few alternatives that might just fit the bill for your […]

It is important to regularly check if your processes are operating as optimally as they could be. If not, actions should be taken for improvement. For this to be appropriately determined, you can create a QPR.

How do you create a SIPOC diagram? Now, I imagine this is a moot point for many LSS practitioners with any degree of experience. However, this might seem somewhat daunting at first glance for newcomers to the methodology. As such, it certainly helps to take a step back and learn some of the […]

Complex math is often the best way to make sense of a confusing maze of quantifiable variables and conditional relationships.

What does it mean to be “Six Sigma”? Six Sigma at many organizations simply means a measure of quality that strives for near perfection. However, the statistical implications of a Six Sigma program go well beyond the qualitative eradication of customer-perceptible defects. It’s a methodology that is well-rooted in mathematics and statistics. What […]

Why should you start a SIPOC diagram at the start of your Lean Six Sigma Projects? Many facets go into planning and executing a project. The last few years have seen the rise of software-centric methodologies like Agile and DevOps, which have become prominent outside of the tech industry. However, SIPOC diagrams remain […]

Central tendency and mean are two of the more significant statistics that are used in Lean Six Sigma. These two concepts have a large place in the developed world of LSS and are important when it comes to implementing new technologies or measuring processes for improvement.

Subjective ratings and rankings can be used in a variety of applications, such as assessing job performance, gauging customer satisfaction, and monitoring the morale of your workforce. Find out more about this Six Sigma term.

What Is PDCA? The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) method is a framework used to achieve continuous improvement in a particular organization or process. It’s also known by several other names, including the Deming wheel, the Shewhart cycle, and the control circle. Even though the method was originally rooted in quality control, it has since been […]

What is Continuous? Continuous data refers to numerical data with any value within a certain range. The values have infinite possibilities, but they all fall within a range. These can be whole numbers or decimals measured using data analysis like skews and line graphs. This kind of data can change over time and […]

Steps in Constructing an X-Bar and R Control Chart: This document contains the step-by-step instructions to construct an X-bar and R control chart. First the R chart is constructed. If the R chart validates that the process variation is in statistical control, the XBAR chart is constructed.

Understanding what quality targets are and how to center product uniformity around them is a helpful step in overall process improvement, ultimately leading to increased profits and customer satisfaction rates.

Understanding and determining the upper and lower statistical limits are the key to determining tolerance range (TR). Find out more about this LSS concept.

What is a Subject Matter Expert? Subject matter experts (SMEs) are people who have a significant amount of knowledge or experience regarding a specific subject. They can specialize in any kind of academic discipline, profession, or practice. Even though their area of expertise is relatively narrow compared to general consultants, there is still […]

With Six Sigma, customer satisfaction comes first. We’ve talked at length in the past about the various nomenclature, techniques, and so forth that drive Six Sigma. As a comprehensive discipline, it is a transformative means of making your organization the best it can be. However, it is a methodology and approach that takes […]

Lean Six Sigma is a system that measures how well a process operates, with “six sigma” being the level of perfection in which processes operate at or below 3.4 defects per million units produced. In order to achieve this, companies must eliminate all but the most critical process steps and then re-engineer those remaining steps to be more efficient and effective.

It is important in business to have a sampling system in place to determine when to dump a pack of units dumped due to an unacceptable amount being defective. LTPD is part of this sampling system.