How Lean & Six Sigma Can Boost Your Business Analysis Career

Lean & Six Sigma methods are preferred by most organizations for process improvement efforts and ensuring the successful completion of projects. Applied initially to manufacturing industry processes, Lean & Six Sigma can now be used in almost every domain of an organization for continuous process improvement.

What is Lean, Six Sigma, and Lean Six Sigma?

Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma are three completely different methodologies that collectively focus on improving processes – faster, better and less resource-intensive. All three methods use various approaches to ensure cost-effective operations.

• The Lean methodology focuses on reducing costs by eliminating waste and improving process efficiency.

• Six Sigma methodology focuses on quality improvement by eliminating variation and ensuring that defects are minimal.

• Lean Six Sigma methodology is a combination of both; it has evolved to provide process/quality improvement by focusing on eliminating waste and reducing errors.

What tools are used for Lean & Six Sigma?

• For Lean methods – Value stream mapping, kaizen events, seven waste analysis, and workload balancing

• For Six Sigma methods – DPMO measurements (Defects per million opportunities), Pareto analysis, control charts and statistical analysis.

What is the value of Lean & Six Sigma to Business Analysts?

With Lean & Six Sigma,  Business Analysts are able to design cost-effective and efficient processes that satisfy and address the business problems identified. Using the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) method, business analysts can identify critical issues and nullify them where possible.

How does Lean Six Sigma boost the Business Analyst’s profile?

With Lean Six Sigma methods, Business Analysts can:

• Drive cross-functional process improvement efforts by translating and simplifying requirements in collaboration with stakeholders

• Streamline back office functions

• Improve the quality of service delivery

• Improve leadership through a data-driven approach and help organizations solve problems which exist rather than predicted problems.

Learning six sigma and lean methods will definitely help business analysts to gain new skills and become more productive at work. Business Analysts can also opt to undergo six sigma training to learn these skills and grow their career.

What career choices can you make after receiving training on lean or six sigma?

• Business Analysts can upgrade their career and work on projects where lean and six sigma methods are necessary for process improvement projects

• Quality analysts/manager, process analysts, consulting and executive roles may become accessible as well.

Job aspirants who wish to pursue their career in business analyst and process management fields should seek the required training.

Lean and six sigma methods help professionals improve processes and offer better management solutions. Six sigma certification can also help aspiring professionals such as process specialists and business analysts boost their career massively.

AUTHOR’S BIO

Jagadeesh Dk is a project management expert and strategist currently working for AADS Education, a certification training company providing various accredited management and technical courses for professionals.