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Are you interested in continuous process improvement, examining current state processes, and identifying ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency? If so, a Lean Six Sigma course could be the solution.
LSS provides organizations a tool to eliminate waste and improve processes, with the goal of increasing efficiency and performance while decreasing variation and waste, said 1st Lt. Victoria Harp, director of inspections, 193rd Special Operations Wing.
“I would recommend these courses to anyone, as I believe that involving your folks in improving the way you do things provides two distinct benefits,” said Senior Master Sgt. David Houtz, Lightning Force Academy superintendent, with the 193rd SOW, and LSS Green Belt Course participant. “One, you can improve a process. Secondly, if not more important, is that your people will feel like they have a say and like they can make a difference.”
The first LSS course offered upon request is a one-day Yellow Belt Course, which introduces students to LSS methodologies, identifies the eight types of waste, and teaches the eight-step problem-solving process overview.
“As we get more belts qualified, you will see this course offered more frequently. However, commanders can request it for their organizations,” said Maj. Kathleen Fabrizi, director of continuous process improvement with the Pennsylvania National Guard and certified LSS Master Black Belt.
The second LSS course is the Green Belt Course. This course provides students with an understanding of continuous process improvement principles, basic analytical tools and project management fundamentals. It teaches students how to properly define, scope, team build and process measure, and provides basic analytical tools necessary to improve processes and complete a project, according to LSS information. Prior to attending the course, each student must have a project, with an assigned project sponsor, which is strategically aligned to their wing, group or squadron’s organizational strategy.
“My organization had processes to get things accomplished but it seemed as if everyone had a different idea of what was required to get them done,” said Houtz. “I looked at the class as a way to help us better define the processes we had and provide the fundamental tools to establish the continuous improvement process to better serve our customers.”
Green Belt Course participants are the “engines that drive process improvement projects within the organization and are a vital part of building a culture of continuous process improvement,” according to the LSS information document.
These courses produce measurable results, including significant man-power and financial.
“My Green Belt Course project for the 271st Combat Communications Squadron improved the readiness reporting process by reducing the time it took from three days to one and a half days,” said Tech. Sgt. Kurt Shipkowski 193rd SOW NCO in charge of career development. “This amounts to an estimated savings in man hours of over $38,000 per year.”
The third and final course is the Black Belt Course. To take this course, one must have previously completed the Green Belt Course.
“The Black Belt Course is for any trained Green Belt who is looking to expand their knowledge, learn advanced statistical analysis tools and prepare to facilitate projects at the group or wing level,” said Fabrizi. “Also, black belts can become qualified to teach the Green belt class.”
Master Sgt. John McNulty, 193rd Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Supervisor, worked on a Black Belt Course project for the 193rd Special Operations Medical Group to improve the upgrade seasonal training because it appeared to be ineffective with a task completion rate of 35 percent. McNulty’s target for this project was to improve the task completion rate to 75 percent, but the outcome ended up being 92 percent with a 100 percent performance evaluation pass rate, said McNulty. Additionally, eight of nine students completed their career development courses within two months, an improvement from the existing average of nine months.
Three upcoming LSS courses will be held in 2017. March 20-31 is a two week Black Belt Course. April 17-21 and June 26- 30 are the two Green Belt courses. For more information or to apply, contact 1st Lt. Victoria Harp at 717-948-3246.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2017 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 226583 |
| Location: | MIDDLETOWN, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Lean Six Sigma courses improve processes at wing, by SrA Julia Sorber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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