Product lifecycle

Lean and Six Sigma: What’s the difference, and why it matters

‘Lean Six Sigma’ has been seen so often that it is easy to forget that they are two very different improvement approaches, as well as having their own distinct sets of tools.

1 hour

Members: £0 + VAT
Non-members: £0 + VAT
Free Webinar

Summary

‘Lean Six Sigma’ has been seen so often that it is easy to forget that they are two very different improvement approaches, as well as having their own distinct sets of tools.

Lean aims to reduce Waste, while Six Sigma reduces Variation.  They are, however, not mutually exclusive. Which should be used depends on the nature of the business issue to be addressed; and what the long term plans of the business are.   

This webinar is perfect if you want to understand more about both Lean and Six Sigma, and how they might be applied to your own organisation’.

This webinar has already taken place but you can view the recording and download the slides on our Learning Management System, just click here to create your account: IMechE LMS.

If you would like to view our upcoming webinars and register to listen and contribute live, please take a look here: Upcoming Webinars.

Who should attend?

This webinar is suitable for anyone wishing to learn more about the difference between Lean and Six Sigma, and how to best use each approach. It is particularly suitable for engineers and managers looking to launch a continuous improvement initiative, or have a need to improve business processes within their department.

How will I benefit?

This webinar will give you some useful guidance in understanding the fundamental differenced between Lean & Six Sigma and how they can be used to support your role as an engineer.

Contributes 1 CPD hour

Key topics

Upon attendance of the webinar, delegates will:
  • Understand the confusion between Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma
  • Learn how a Lean project or programme might differ from a Six Sigma one, with details on tools and techniques often used
  • Understand how each approach can benefit your business, department or process

  • Know how the approaches can be combined to meet individual business or even project needs

  • Have confidence in choosing the best approach for your requirements

Mapped against UK- SPEC competencies: B and C

  1. Design and development of processes, systems, services and products - For Chartered Engineers: ‘Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of mechanical engineering problems’ For Incorporated Engineers ‘Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to design, develop, manufacture, construct commission, operate, maintain, decommission and re-cycle mechanical engineering processes, systems, services and products’
  2. Responsibility, management or leadership - For Incorporated and Chartered Engineers: 'Provide Technical and commercial leadership’

Meet our trainers

These trainers regularly teach Lean and Six Sigma: What’s the difference, and why it matters.

  • Gillian Clark

    Gillian Clark

    With 11 years’ experience as a Process Improvement consultant, and 7 years in industry as an Improvement Specialist, Gillian has successfully applied World Class business improvement techniques – including Lean, Six Sigma and Change Management – to a wide range of industries including Public Sector, Finance, Aerospace, Automotive, Telecoms, MOD, NHS and Manufacturing.
  • Martin Luckett

    Martin Luckett

    Martin has 14 years of experience in training and consulting and has extensive knowledge of project managing bespoke leadership development, innovation, change and process improvement programmes across a broad range of industry sectors.

In-house and bespoke training

Tell us your team's CPD needs and we'll come to you with a specialised training programme, customised for your engineering sector.
Contact our advisors if you need help finding the most appropriate training for your team.

Share:

At a glance

  • Duration:
    1 hour
  • CPD Hours:
    1
  • UK-Spec:
    B, C

Need some help?

Contact us if you have any questions about our training courses.

Terms & conditions of booking IMechE training

Train your team

Offers and bundles

A range of options to help you maximise your training budget.

More about offers and bundles

Related courses

Train your team

Tell us your team’s development needs and we’ll come to you with a specialised training programme, customised for your organisation.

What options are available?

  • Off the shelf – we can deliver any of our training courses at your chosen location, providing you with a cost-effective and efficient solution
  • Tailored courses– our personalised programmes can help you work through issues specific to your team or sector and equip you with the practical tools you need to move forward
  • Blended programmes – we use a range of delivery methods, development subjects and performance resources to ensure your team have the knowledge and skills they need to help your business thrive

More about in-house and tailored training.

Request a Training catalogue

Discover the most extensive series of professional development courses for engineers who are committed to shaping the future of our sector.

Some of the companies we've worked with

  • Alten
  • AMH Material Handling
  • Avara Foods
  • bmt
  • Bombardier
  • Bombardier
  • Frazer Nash
  • Gas Networks Ireland
  • International Nuclear Services
  • JCB
  • Martin Baker
  • National Composited Centre
  • Network Rail
  • Smurfit Kappa
  • sse

Our training acumen

  • Over 30 years of experience delivering training
  • More than 200 courses designed for engineers
  • Over 10,000 engineers trained each year
  • Trusted by over 800 companies
  • Business solutions delivered in 48 countries

Average customer rating: 4.75 out of 5


Get in touch

Get in touch if you need help finding the right course, or qualification, for you or your team.

Terms & conditions of booking IMechE training