Lean Six Sigma For Leaders

Foreword

Ian Swain, CEO, BQF

This is a different sort of Lean Six Sigma book, that not only guides leaders through the principles and the approaches, but provides case studies and stories from leaders who have used it. It goes beyond the theory and talks about practice, addressing real life challenges and considering Lean Six Sigma from a range of perspectives.

There is a lot more to Lean Six Sigma than problem solving and process improvement! The principles set out by Martin and Jo can underpin all aspects of leadership. These are in line with the fundamental concepts of excellence set out in the EFQM Excellence Model: adding value for customers; creating a sustainable future; developing organisational capability; harnessing creativity and innovation; leading with vision, inspiration and integrity; managing with agility; succeeding through the talent of people; sustaining outstanding results. Also aligned is the concept of applying learning, creativity and innovation to what an organisation does and how it does it, to improve what the organisation achieves.

This book also outlines how Lean Six Sigma can be used by leaders to support ‘other’ aspects of the leadership role which they may have thought to be separate or mutually exclusive. As the Agile movement grows for example, and its value is increasingly recognised outside of the world of software development, the book shows that it's possible to harness both Agile and Lean Six Sigma, and do so with pragmatism. Martin and Jo ...