In the era of AI, ML and Robotic Process Automation, is Lean and Six Sigma still relevant?

The simple answer to the title of my own blog is - Absolutely.

The reason I am writing this piece is because a lot of people seem to be questioning the value and returns from Lean Management and Six Sigma in the BPM and shared services sphere. Some have even declared the two dead and bygone.

I think I know the reason why. We are too distracted with Robot Process Automation. We are smitten by its great ROI and quick turnarounds (including me). These days we have also started to talk a lot about AI and Machine Learning even though in the business process management world, very few truly understand all that it entails. Many Black Belts and Master Black Belts are spending most of their time working as business analysts and program managers for RPA initiatives. Due to excessive focus on RPA and its benefits, many Process Improvement leaders are questioning the relevance of Lean and Six Sigma. For many, benefits in monetary terms is drying up from these two buckets.

Comparing RPA with Lean and Sigma is like comparing apples from oranges. RPA is technology driven where as Lean is a management philosophy with continuous improvement and respect for people as its two pillars. Six Sigma on the other hand is a data driven, problem solving methodology. How can continuous improvement and respect for people be not relevant. How can systemic problem solving using data ever be not relevant. It is and will always be relevant. The problem is superficial understanding of these methods and improper deployment. If we are not seeing benefits from Six Sigma is probably because we are not trying to solve enough problems as Black Belts bandwidth is being consumed by RPA. If we are not seeing returns from Lean Management is because we are treating it as a tool box instead of as a management philosophy.

RPA is much needed and a must in today’s age as it can provide tremendous productivity gains but we must not forget the basics of Process excellence which come from Deming’s cycle, SPC, TQM, Lean and Six Sigma. RPA, Lean and Six Sigma all need to be pursued with equal fervor so as to not lose balance of operational excellence. Remember, automating a process is not the same as improving it.