BUS-P 356 Lean Six Sigma
This course seeks to make students better problem solvers and project managers to enable them to help improve business processes. Problem solvers are always sought after, and this course will equip you with a toolset, mindset, and framework to solve any problem. Specifically, this course introduces undergraduates to the fundamentals of Lean and Six Sigma principles, concepts, tools, and methodologies that underlie continuous improvement approaches and how to apply these in practice to improve quality, productivity, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, time-to-market and financial performance. While Lean emerged from the Japanese automotive industry and is focused on the creation of value through the relentless elimination of waste, Six Sigma is a quality system which focuses on elimination of variation from all processes. The course covers Lean and the 5 steps in Six Sigma (DMAIC, or Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) through a mixture of lectures and hands-on activities culminating in a green belt project and certification exam. Topics include: Lean, Kaizen, DMAIC, project management, change management, root cause analysis, and tools for each of these areas. Students will learn an industry recognized software for six sigma analysis (e.g., Minitab) and have an opportunity to earn the KSB Lean & Six Sigma Greenbelt (modeled after American Society of Quality) by successfully completing the certification exam.