What is this standard about?
It sets out the separate competency requirements for organizations looking at Six Sigma and Lean implementation. (Methodologies for dealing with waste and reducing variation.)
Who is this standard for?
- Senior management looking to implement Six Sigma and Lean practices
- Lean and Six Sigma consultants and training professionals
- Waste and environmental specialists
- Health and safety executives
- Quality management professionals, auditors and management systems consultants
Why should you use this standard?
Much debate has been had on the nature of Six Sigma and Lean, their commonality and their differences. Various combinations of the two approaches exist, many under the umbrella title of ‘Lean Six Sigma’, with the Lean approach focusing on the reduction of chronic waste and Six Sigma aiming at the reduction of variation and its adverse effects.
BS ISO 18404:2015 clarifies the required competencies in Six Sigma, Lean and Lean Six Sigma for individuals and also for organizations.
Previously, BS ISO 13053 had defined the basic terms and guidance for those using Six Sigma, but until BS ISO 18404 there was no global certifiable standard on what constitutes the different ‘belt’ levels, or what is required in an organization which deploys these approaches.
This standard provides a combined competency framework for Lean and Six Sigma.