Progressive Lean Six Sigma Training™ Model
Like today’s common Lean Six Sigma course curricula, ICF employs a phased approach. But unlike those models that follow the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) project model completion sequence, ICF presents students with a less menacing, more orderly and logical approach, based on adult learning models, with project time between phases—increasing their likelihood of achieving mastery and ingraining principals into an organization’s culture. This phased approach is built on the fundamental implementation of Lean practices before progressing with more difficult six sigma deployments.
The four phases of the ICF Progressive Lean Six Sigma Training Model™ are:
Lean Practitioner
In alignment with our operating philosophy, ICF believes that process improvement training should begin with a strong introduction to the principles of a Lean Enterprise. In addition to training in flow, value, and waste, this training includes basic graphical analytical techniques and an introduction to the DMAIC framework. The toolkit at this level is relatively simple, but powerful, and does not require a specialized foundation in other subjects.
Understanding Variation – LSS Green Belt
In this Week II training session, ICF focuses on understanding processes, adding the basic statistical concepts of variation and central tendency. Introduction to the use of confidence intervals provides a simple, but analytical way, for the student to become a more powerful user of data collection and analysis. The core concepts taught during this phase are variation, probability, standard distribution models, standard error of the mean, control charts, and process capability.
Reducing Variation – LSS Black Belt Week I
During the third one-week session, students build on the confidence interval concept to develop the idea of statistical significance. Teaching focuses on tools which provide students powerful root cause analysis and prediction abilities, which is the key to success on more difficult projects. This session’s primary focus is on Hypothesis Testing, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), regression and correlation, and Measurement Systems Analysis.
Optimizing Processes – LSS Black Belt Week II
The fourth-week module expands on the concepts of regression and ANOVA (analysis of variance) to include multivariate analysis. Beginning with an introduction to multiple linear regression and multilevel ANOVA, ICF progresses the student through designed experiments and advanced regression techniques.