Why Lean 6 Sigma Problem Solving is So Slow 

Today we’re going to talk about why 6 Sigma is Slower. Than. Christmas. I love lean manufacturing, and Lean 6 Sigma has its place too. They’re both very powerful and very useful tools. They have actually even saved companies lots of money, and made lots of companies more efficient.

 

Then What’s your Beef with it, Tom?

In today’s video I explain why lots of companies like to hire Lightning Problem Solvers like myself instead of your average, run-of-the-mill, Lean Six Sigma Black Belts. I also have my Lean 6 Sigma Master Black Belt, so, who better than me to trust when I say that the Lean 6 Sigma way of solving problems is too slow? Trust the expert – it’s just too slow!

 

“Trust the expert – 6 Sigma problem solving is just TOO slow!” Share on X

Another way to look at it is, do you want to be trained by Jet Li? Or do you want to be trained by Chris Farley trying to be Jet Li? Don’t get me wrong – they both look great in Martial Arts outfits. But their skill sets are a little different.

  

So, let’s get to the Point

Why is Lean Six Sigma problem solving so slow?

 

Here’s the hang-up. There are about 37 “tools” listed in 6 Sigma, including 5s, Kaizen, DOEs, etc. Some of these tools are good for the overall day-to-day quality of your plant, but most all of these tools demonstrate very slow ways to solve problems. Everyone I’ve worked with that considers themselves a lean 6 sigma black belt looks at problems in a different way than I do.

 

Here are the 6 main problems with lean 6 sigma problem solvers

They will:

• Plan long DOEs
• Focus too much on slow continuous improvement
• Spend entirely too much time planning
• Set up meetings and give long presentations explaining why they need to do something simple in a complex way
• Always want to justify why their work is going to take so long instead of just getting the problem solved
• Want to give hour-long updates that really should only take 5 minutes

 

How Lightning Problem Solving is Different

You can solve every problem with a long DOE and slow continuous improvements. And yes, theoretically there are instances where, if a problem cannot be solved the simple way, a complex way is possibly needed. But in my entire problem-solving career, I’ve never seen that yet.  The managers that know me will hand me the project and I solve it quickly, every time.

 

“What companies really need is fast problem solving, not drawn out DOEs.” Share on X

 

What companies really need is fast problem solving, not drawn out DOEs. This is because the majority of problems don’t NEED a long DOE. You probably won’t come across a problem that will actually benefit from a long DOE but maybe once every couple of years. The rest of the problems can be solved quickly using Lightning Problem Solving Methods. Literally 90% of the projects that I have witnessed could have been solved in 3 days by a Lightning Problem Solving Master.

 

Want More?

You can pop over to my video called How to Solve a Manufacturing Problem in Only 3 Days if you’re curious as to how we achieve lightning fast results!

 

“I recommend every company I work with to have 1 trained problem solver for every 50 employees.” Share on X

 

I generally recommend that every company have 1 trained problem solver for every 50 employees. But I don’t want my trainees to go through 6 Sigma training. I’ve seen too many people that would have been good problem solvers turn out to be solution hunters and ramblers. Here at Lightning Problem Solving we are always fast and only solve problems based on cold, hard data – never emotion.

 

With all the videos and blogs I offer, I truly hope you’re taking advantage of my expertise and really putting it to work for you. My latest video, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Problem Solvers, is chock full of valuable information. I take great pride and joy in turning your manufacturing company into a Lean, Green Problems Solved Machine!

 

If this blog has helped you, be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel as well so you’ll never miss any of my Lightning Problem Solving pointers! Comment below if you also think 6 Sigma is too slow.

 

As always, thanks for joining us! And happy problem solving!