Lean Six Sigma: Six Sigma Glossary of Terms

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Training in Lean Six Sigma for Teams

To better understand Lean Six Sigma methodologies, it is essential to know exactly what the terms used in Lean Six Sigma mean. Below are some commonly used terms:

A Supplier is an entity, person or another process that provides an input into the process under consideration.

A Customer is any entity, person or another process that receives an output from the process under consideration.

Product/Service Business Processes  are directly involved in producing the delivered product or service such as manufacturing a boat or processing a check in a bank.

Administrative Business Processes (also called enabling processes) are all of the support processes such as order processing, accounts payable, and hiring processes.

A Key Process is defined as a process that is important for the success of the business or the customer, and/or is in need of immediate improvement to resolve a business problem.

A Process Management System is an approach used by managers and work-groups to ensure that the outputs of their work efforts are:

1. Predictable (stable).

2. Meeting customer requirements (capable).

3. Are performed quickly and at low cost (efficient).

4. Aligned and optimised to deliver correct results/value to a customer (effective).

5. Capable of quickly changing to meet market and customer demands (adaptable).

It is a structured approach to aligning and optimising how business processes work together to repeatedly and consistently deliver results/value to a customer.

A Process Owner is a person who manages the process end-to-end to ensure optimal overall performance, someone who coordinates functional/cross-functional activities at all levels of a work process, a person who has the responsibility to approve changes in the process, and a  person who sponsors improvement efforts (teams).

A Process Member is an individual who is a key contributor or a supporter for the successful completion of the deliverables from the process.

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