Integration of Lean and Six Sigma

Six Sigma has been a part of Raytheon Integrated Air Defense (IAD) center in Andover, Massachusetts, since 1999. In 2003, the center added the Lean Manufacturing program. The practice of Lean has been aided by a change of mindset at Raytheon. The focus now is now results, and Lean is practices in four phases: set a vision, establish commitment from the executive team, plan a change management process, and develop people’s skills. ARCwire reports:

The adoption of Lean also affected their information systems. With Lean, they identified a need to facilitate cross-functional teaming. Previously, many of the software applications were independent silos of information. Now, they have connected the appropriate applications for information integration.