Process improvement tool
The Laboratory wants to improve its performance so it can meet its institutional goals. That’s why Lean Six Sigma is being implemented Labwide.
“Lean Six Sigma gives employees a modern, efficient way of getting things done so they can spend less time fighting fires,” said Jan Van Prooyen, acting deputy Laboratory director.
Lean Six Sigma is designed to eliminate waste and defects by improving process time, quality, and cost, according to Christa Wingfield of Process Management and Continuous Improvement (CAO-PMCI). Lean Six Sigma also uses metrics to monitor and sustain performance and alert the Lab to potential problems before they occur, said Wingfield.
The program operates on the premise that variation leads to defects and waste. Sigma symbolizes the standard deviation of a population. The higher the Sigma Level, the closer the organization is to the customer’s specifications. At a Six Sigma level, which is considered to be nearly perfect, there are only 3.4 defects per one million products.
Lean Six Sigma programs train employees who achieve the designation of Champion, Black, Green, and Yellow Belt. Champions are managers who remove barriers and support the team. Black Belts are senior practitioners of the process who work on cross-functional challenges, while Green Belts work on departmental improvements. Yellow Belts are the experts in a specific process area. Process Management and Continous Improvement also conducts Lean Six Sigma awareness training.
Getting started
A Lab manager who thinks a process can be improved can ask that Lean Six Sigma be implemented. A non-management employee can make a request for LSS to a manager.
When a process is identified for improvement, Yellow Belts and a Champion are assigned to map the process and identify areas for improvement. Data related to these metrics are collected and, if warranted, Green or Black Belts analyze the data and lead teams to identify and implement improvements.
The Lean Six Sigma program supports the Laboratory’s recently announced Goals and Commitments. “Black Belts will only work on processes that are tied to the Goals and Commitments,” said Wingfield.
The Contractor Assurance Office is interviewing candidates for eight Black Belts positions. Some of the skills required of a Black Belt can be found here.
Currently, the Laboratory has more than 200 trained Yellow Belts. Additional Lean Six Sigma training is planned this month. For more information about the training and to apply for Yellow Belt candidate consideration, click here.
Lab employees can get involved with this program by visiting the Web site. In order to become one of the trained practitioners, employees have to be nominated and meet certain qualifications.
For more information, contact the Process Management and Continous Improvement Office at improve@lanl.gov by electronic mail.
