Simulation-based lean six sigma

Six sigma makes DMAIC a disciplined and data-driven approach that can be utilized to improvement both processes and products to meet customer requirements with least variability, and lean technique is applied to reduce the process waste and increase process effectiveness, which is matches the objectives of DMAIC for solving the problems and improving the performance. Thus, lean techniques can be integrated into six sigma DMAIC process to form synergic and complementary problem-solving and continue improvement perspectives. But for a lean six sigma project, conducting experimental design and "what-if" analysis is a common key practice toward achieving significant results. Simulation models can be utilized effectively as a flexible platform for six sigma and lean techniques, which reduces the time and cost of physical experimentation and provides a visual method to validate tested scenarios. So, modeling and simulation could be used to overcome the weaknesses and reap the full benefits of lean six sigma.