Lean vs. Six Sigma, Know the Difference

Lean and Six Sigma are both powerful methodologies for process improvement, but they have different focuses and assumptions. Below is a clear side-by-side comparison:

Category	Lean	Six Sigma
Goal	Eliminate waste	Reduce variation
Major Focus	Increase speed	Improve quality
Primary Effect	Reduced flow time	Uniform process output
Assumption	Waste removal will improve performance	System output improves if process variation is reduced
Approach	Observation-driven	Data-driven
Deployment	Implicit infrastructure	Explicit infrastructure
L&D (Learning & Development)	OpEx / Lean Leader Trainings	Six Sigma Belt Programs
Methods	Value Stream Mapping, Process Observation	DMAIC, Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Summary:
- Lean is best for simplifying processes, increasing speed, and removing non-value-adding activities.
- Six Sigma is ideal when precision and reducing variability is key, especially where quality defects are costly.

QuoteTip: Many modern organizations combine both as Lean Six Sigma to enjoy the benefits of speed and quality together.