More on Six Sigma and BPM

This continues to be a hot discussion topic. I pulled some data from several sources last night for a client and thought I would post it here.

First, here are a couple of key items around BPM and Six Sigma (or Lean):
(several of them from article "Can Six Sigma and Business Process Management Co-Exist?")

1. Six Sigma (or Lean) and BPM are enablers for the other. BPM benefits by taking a continuous process improvement approach. Six Sigma or Lean benefit by using technology to automate what they “fix” and for ongoing measurement.
2. Six Sigma is a process (e.g., DMAIC) which standard deliverables and exit questions at each phase. BPM can provide a “project management” tool and scoreboard for BPM.
3. Six Sigma is focused on the subprocess and can lead to local process optimization without end-to-end process optimization.
4. BPM strength is automation of processes through modeling and creation of dashboards. It’s weakness is in detailed analysis of data for difficult problems. Six Sigma fills this gap.
5. Six Sigma provides a rigorous approach to data collection and analysis but it’s weakenss is in monitoring process improvements to make sure they are applied. BPM can provide this systemic solution to codify the improved process.
6. For a Six Sigma company, BPM can offer a Lean type offering that focuses on solutions where quality is not the issue but there are opportunities to eliminate NVA activities or Muda (i.e., waste).

I think the two tables below also do a good job of comparing the two.

Adapted from Lombardi white paper on Six Sigma and BPM:

Adapted from Appian white paper on Six Sigma and BPM:

Comments

[Six Sigma Excellence]

This post is different from what I read on most blog. And it have so many valuable things to learn.
Thanks for your research on academic knowledge.