Customer Reviews

Leaning into Six Sigma: The Path to Integration of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Leaning into Six Sigma" provides a few hours of entertaining reading, but only brushes the surface of Six Sigma. Written in the tradition of "The Goal" by Eliyahu Goldratt, "Leaning into Six Sigma" doesn't live up that book's success at explaining complex business/operations concepts even while telling a compelling story. While Sam Micawh, the protagonist, certainly can't be faulted for being boring, the brazen attitude bestowed upon her by the authors, and the patronizing tone with which the client company's employees are addressed, only serve to reinforce the negative stereotype of "the arrogant consultant." This fault makes me hesitant to recommend "Leaning into Six Sigma" ...

The book has a unique way of integrating the principles of Lean and Six Sigma. The practical concepts of eliminating waste and improving efficiency have been illustrated in simple terms. The length and style of the book have been structured for easy reading.

The reader doesn't have to have a specific background other than being open to learning the best principles of business. The concepts can also be applied to a transactional type of environment based on the principles taught in the book.

The examples provided are relatable and provide a channel for easy comprehension.

A publication project well done!

This book is written in a style that provides the reader with an easy to understand look at the power of combining the tools of Lean and Six Sigma. Written for a long flight or a quick homework assignment it provides entertainment while allowing some important concepts to be learned effortlessly.

The authors Mills, Wheat and Carnell tell an engaging story.... a story of a consultant helping a client achieve operational breakthrough in phases, what in the end turns out to be a natural deployment of Lean & Six Sigma for the organization. The narrative is lucid, interesting, insightful, well organized and "lean" (only 100 pages, I finished it in one night). A no-frills, no-nonsense book that also delves into the issues & constraints that a consultant may face, and shows how to overcome them.
A highly recommended read for teams starting the journey towards Six Sigma and Lean implementation, for champions & leaders in those areas, CEOs of companies looking to deploy SS and Lean and all those Six-Sigma lovers that are out there and harboring a secret desire to get into consulting some day.

I have read several books on Six Sigma and found this one to be extremely weak on content and heavy on the current Buzz Words! As a basic book on Six Sigma you better have a Six Sigma dictionary by your bedside to let you know what the authors are trying to tell the reader. If you are familiar with Six Sigma then you don't need to read the book. The tale is simply written and a easy read but makes the process of Six Sigma "a walk in the factory". I believe the story doesn't give anybody associated with any improvement processes any real insight and the book may be best described as a fairy tale at best. Any of the well known texts from Pete Pande and team do a much better job in providing the basics of process improvement.

Any CEO and Top Mgt. staff who are thinking of entering into the Lean Mfg. and Six Sigma improvement world should read this book. It is a modern day fable about a company who must improve to stay in business and decide to hire a consultant to help pick the right new machine to fix all their quality and cycle time problems. It is very easy reading on your next short trip. Everyone can identify someone in the book they can relate with. Must reading for the entire team starting to implement six sigma and lean.