This course equips managers with the skills and knowledge to excel as Lean Six Sigma Project Champions, supporting Yellow, Green, and Black Belts. Champions are the ‘voice of the business,’ identifying when a Lean Six Sigma project is needed and securing the necessary resources. They play a crucial role in guiding and supporting the team to ensure project success and sustainable improvements.

Responsibilities of a Champion:

• Project Selection: Approve projects and ensure a strong business case.
• Team Assembly: Select the project team members.
• Strategic Direction: Provide guidance and oversight.
• Project Charter: Develop and agree on the project scope.
• Active Involvement: Participate in review steps and overcome roadblocks.
• Resource Facilitation: Ensure the team has necessary resources.

Who Should Attend?

• Individuals seeking a thorough grounding in Lean Six Sigma principles and their application.
• Managers aiming to ensure effective, efficient, and beneficial Lean Six Sigma project delivery.
• Those looking to implement Lean, Lean Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement.
• Professionals from service, manufacturing, or public sectors.
• Aspiring British Quality Foundation Certified Lean Six Sigma Champions.

Learning Outcomes

• Business Outcomes: Improved project success rates and faster, more sustainable results.
• Personal Development: Gain new insights into managing process performance and interact knowledgeably with Lean Six Sigma practitioners. Achieve recognition as a certified Lean Six Sigma Project Champion.

Prerequisites

• None. This course assumes no prior Lean Six Sigma knowledge.

Delivery Options

• In-House Program: Two-day virtual or face-to-face training.

Support Pack Includes:

• 12 months access to Catalyst’s online Business Improvement Zone.
• Printed and PDF copies of course slides.
• “Lean Six Sigma for Leaders” book.
• Lean Six Sigma Improvement Journey Champions Guide and Pocket Guide.
• Managing Change Pocket Guide.
• Project Storyboard Requirements Checklist.
• Option for British Quality Foundation Lean Six Sigma exam.

Follow-on Options:

• British Quality Foundation Project Champion Certification.
• Coaching Support for Champions.
• Lean Six Sigma Project Team Member e-learning training pack.
• Upgrade to Green or Black Belt.

Course Content

Introduction

• Key Principles: Foundations of Lean and Six Sigma.
• Philosophy and Benefits: Concepts, benefits, and managing processes.
• Creating the Right Environment: Culture of continuous improvement and systems thinking.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Project selection and review.

DMAIC Phases

The course follows the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) methodology, focusing on the Champion’s role.

Define

• Setting up a project, team establishment.
• Improvement Charter, problem statements, project goals.
• Developing the business case, scope, customers, stakeholder management.
• Change management tools and key questions for the team.
• Review meetings and governance.

Measure

• Visualizing processes and data.
• Process mapping techniques: Process Stapling, Swimlanes, Value Stream Mapping.
• Moments of Truth, data collection, and use of graphs and charts.
• Operational definitions and understanding variation.
• Ensuring stakeholder engagement and key questions for the team.

Analyse

• Investigating root causes using tools like Fishbone diagrams and 5 Whys.
• Identifying waste and value-add analysis.
• Tools for identifying critical root causes.
• Avoiding analysis paralysis and keeping the team on track.
• Key questions for the team.

Improve

• Developing solution ideas and selecting the best options.
• Supporting small-scale pilot testing and providing resources.
• Revisiting team composition and recommending actions.
• Keeping stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Key questions for the team.

Control

• Implementation planning and management.
• Transitioning solutions to everyday operations and lean management.
• Ongoing control using Lean Six Sigma tools.
• Recognizing team efforts and quantifying business benefits.
• Wrapping up the storyboard and final review.