As we have seen so far, the Lean Six Sigma implementation lifecycle is typically a five step process: initiate, enable, implement, replicate, and sustain. For the initiative to be successful, it is essential to have complete commitment from the senior management in the organization.

The various roles in a Lean Six Sigma implementation ensure that the delineation of responsibilities and tasks within a given project is clear. In turn, this should ensure that the implementation of the project is frictionless, as everyone knows what they are doing and should thus work together efficiently and effectively.

It is absolutely essential that the projects that comprise your Lean Six Sigma initiative are linked to the strategic and business objectives of your organization – after all, your organization is the reason that you're implementing the initiative in the first place! By using criteria such as the Pareto Priority Index, you can ensure that the initiative is not only working in line with...