Lean Six Sigma For Dummies, 4th Edition

Chapter 5

Understanding the Process

IN THIS CHAPTER

Going to the Gemba and using Process Stapling

Drawing a spaghetti diagram to see how the work gets done

Creating a detailed map of the process

W. Edwards Deming said, “If you can’t describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing.” Having an up-to-date picture of what you are doing (the process) makes DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) improvement projects far easier to undertake (dive into Chapter 2 for more on doing DMAIC).

The Measure phase of DMAIC is about understanding how and how well the work gets done. We look at the “how well” aspect in Part 3; our focus here is to understand how the work currently gets done. Only when you understand how the process works now can you see the opportunities for improvement in your process and manage performance better.

Finding Out How the Work Gets Done

Process mapping is the main focus of this chapter. We look at two types: the deployment flowchart and the Value Stream Map. These maps build on the high-level SIPOC diagram explained in Chapter 3, and provide really helpful pictures of how the work gets done.

GOING TO THE GEMBA

The Gemba ...