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.