Proposed Progression of Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma is a hybrid continuous improvement methodology that has various definitions, from those that are Lean dominant to those that are Six Sigma dominant. Text mining and cluster analysis based research has helped to illuminate the degree to which Lean Six Sigma models, as described in articles published in the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, are Lean dominant versus Six Sigma dominant. The iterative cluster analysis was used to identify clusters of articles that were interpretable. The research found that some Lean dominant Lean Six Sigma articles ascertain Lean as the dominant philosophy and Six Sigma as a subordinate tool used in achieving the Lean objectives. The findings of this research as well extrapolation of the literature informed a recommended Lean Six Sigma model as described in this article. The recommended model is Lean dominant and consists of two subordinate methods – Six Sigma and statistical process control. The three synergistic approaches not only each serve in their own way to manifest process improvements, they also all contribute to organizational learning, which is considered a chief contributor to competitive advantage.