Abstract

This article describes the lean Six Sigma rapid improvement method (LSSRIM), which emphasizes analyzing the business environment as the first step of the organizational improvement process. Four short case studies are presented. The lean Six Sigma component of LSSRIM involves leadership engagement, customer-driven strategic goals, and infrastructure deployment, emphasizing the importance of critical-to-success engagement and top management buy-in of a customer-centric, team-oriented business strategy. Delivering high-value results through the appropriate and timely use of resources is achieved by selecting the right people and projects, improving process cycle time, and conducting error-elimination management. The processes and principles associated with value-based management—as defined in complexity value stream maps (CVSM)—combined with the structured improvement opportunities provided through the define, measure, analyze, improve, control and sustain model, provide the data-driven inputs to the lean Six Sigma process. These tools are used to achieve breakthrough performance in realizing customer-driven strategic goals.