A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
BASELINE – A standard by which things are measured or compared. Often used in current state as a measure for future state.
CHARTER – A document that guides the work of the team and demonstrated the commitments of the leadership. Parts of the charter include title, team members (including leaders and belts), problem statement, goal statement, business case, goals, deliverables, and out of scope.
CUSTOMER – The person who receives a product.
CYCLE TIME – The time that it takes to successfully complete the tasks required for a work process.
DMAIC – The Six Sigma scientific discipline of “Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve & Control.”
END USER – A type of customer who personally uses the product.
ERROR PROOFING (“POKA YOKE”) – A lean tool to design a process so that mistakes are impossible or at least easily detected and corrected.
EVENT – A generic term used when a team gathers around a problem and develops a solution.
FACILITATION - Facilitation serves the needs of any group who are meeting with a common purpose. It does not lead the group, nor does it try to distract or to entertain it. Rather, it seeks to engage in the tasks to encourage a team towards a successful outcome.
FLOW DIAGRAM – A diagram of the sequence of operations
GEMBA - A means of collecting data through observation of the actual work done in the actual work space (walking the process)
GREEN BELT - A person training in Lean Six Sigma to the extent that they can facilitate Kaizens
INPUT – Any product, service or information that comes into the process from a supplier
JIT TRAINING – “Just In Time” – training provided by the Green Belt to the team members that occur prior to a process improvement event
JDI – “Just Do It” – an improvement that does not need a team to develop the solution
KAIZEN - A process improvement event that is moderately complex, requires a team to solve, can be lead by a Green Belt, and where a solution is believed to be possible.
LEAD TIME – The time it takes to complete an activity from start to finish; it includes batch and process delays.
LEAN - A process improvement methodology that focuses on the elimination of waste to improve the flow or speed in a business process. Lean is a war on waste.
NON-VALUE-ADDED TIME (NVA) - Time engaged in an activity performed that does not increase its value to the customer. Value to the customer is defined as: must be done right the first time, the customer must be willing to pay for it, and it does not meet the definition of waste.
OUTPUT – The end product; final product; the things produced
PROCESS DESCRIPTION – An action that starts with a verb to describe the process
PRODUCT – What is produced at the end of a process. It is specific and deliverable.
SIPOC - A tool used to document a process at a high level and show the process from suppliers and inputs to outputs and customers. Stands for "Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers".
SIX SIGMA – A statistical symbol for a unit of measurement in product quality variation. Six Sigma strives to eliminate all defects by reducing process variation.
SMART GOALS - Goals that have the following elements: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely.
SME – Subject Matter Expert. Team members. Brings their expertise to the table and creates solutions.
SPAGHETTI MAP - A process map that illustrates the physical route of information or product.
STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS - A tool designed to help you get to know the team and their readiness for change.
SUPPLIER - Any person or organization that feeds inputs (products, services, or information) into the process; in a service organization, many times the customer is also the supplier.
SWIM LANES - A map that shows the sequence of steps by function and time.
TEAM LEAD - Supervisor or one assigned to lead a process or project. Works closely with the Green Belt. Implements new process.
VALUE ADDED TIME (VA) - Time engaged in an activity performed that increases its value to the customer. Three Criteria: Must be done right the first time, the customer must be willing to pay for it, and it does not meet the definition of waste.
VALUE STREAM - The series of steps that occur to provide the product, service and/or experience the customer desires. The steps must be taken properly in the correct sequence at the appropriate time to create value for customers.
VALUE STREAM CHAMPION - Division Head, Deputy, and Manager; works closely with Deployment Champion. Owns the Value Streams, accountable to performance of sections. Signs charter, selects teams. Works with others to remove barriers.
VARIATION - Any change or fluctuation of a specific characteristic in a process that determines how stable or predictable the process may be. Variation is affected by factors such as environment, people, machinery, equipment, methods, procedures, measurements, and materials.
VOICE OF THE BUSINESS - Understanding the policies, rules, and laws that govern an organization.
VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER - Listening to the customer's requirements, needs, wants, satisfactions, complaints and suggestions as key inputs for driving improvements, and engaging them in your improvement efforts.
WASTE - Any activity that takes time, resources, or space but does not add value to a product or service. In Lean there are 8 defined wastes: defects, over production, waiting, non-utilization of talent, transportation, inventory, motion, and extra-processing.