Resources

In Lean Six Sigma, solving problems effectively means going beyond the symptoms and uncovering the true source of variation or waste. This is where Root Cause Analysis (RCA)  plays a critical role. According to ASQ, a root cause  is “a factor that caused a nonconformance and should be permanently eliminated through process improvement” (ASQ, n.d.). RCA, therefore, is not just about fixing what is broken—it’s about preventing recurrence by addressing the core issue  that trigg

In Lean Six Sigma and quality management, continuous improvement is not a one-time event—it’s a mindset and a repeatable process. One of the most enduring and effective tools to support this mindset is the PDCA cycle . Simple yet powerful, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) helps organizations test ideas, implement changes, and sustain improvements in a structured way. What Is PDCA? PDCA, also known as the Deming Cycle  or Shewhart Cycle , is a four-step iterative process designed to f

In the realm of Lean Six Sigma, clarity and structure are more than goals—they're essentials. The A3 Report  delivers both in one concise document. Named after the ledger-size paper (11 x 17 inches) it’s written on, the A3 serves as a powerful summary of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)  cycle, wrapped in a structured problem-solving framework. Originally developed in Toyota’s production system, the A3 Report forces teams to distill complex problems into a clear, visual story of

In the world of Lean, one mantra stands out: “What gets measured gets managed. What gets seen gets improved.”  Visual Management is a key component of Lean systems that turns this philosophy into practice. By making performance, standards, and problems visible in real time, it fosters faster decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement. Whether you're on a factory floor, in a hospital, or managing a tech team, visual cues can eliminate ambiguity and enhance com

In today’s fast-paced world, continuous improvement is not just an option—it’s a necessity. One of the most effective ways to drive rapid, team-based improvement is through a Kaizen Event . Rooted in Lean philosophy, a Kaizen Event (also known as a Kaizen Blitz or Rapid Improvement Workshop) is a focused, short-term project to improve a specific process. Whether you’re in manufacturing, healthcare, services, or government, Kaizen Events can lead to immediate, measurable resul

When something goes wrong in a process—defects, delays, rework—the natural tendency is to jump to solutions. But in Lean Six Sigma, the Analyze phase  of DMAIC reminds us to pause, dig deeper, and understand why  the problem exists before attempting to fix it. What Is the Analyze Phase? The Analyze phase is the third step in the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control)  framework. Its purpose is to: Identify the root causes  of problems Validate them with data Prioritiz