Best Lean 6 Sigma Podcasts (2024)

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0117. Transformative Strategies for Scaling Operations in Biopharma 19:29

4h ago19:29

19:29

Send us a Text Message. Ever wondered how to supercharge your company's operations without expanding your team? In this episode of Lean by Design, host Oscar Gonzalez reveals innovative strategies from a recent project with a dynamic 100-person company. Discover how you can enhance workflow efficiency by reimagining and optimizing your existing dat…

1
E106: The Lean Journey at Rockwell Collins with Clay Jones - Part 3 11:55

2M ago11:55

11:55

This is part 3 of the 2006 speech given by Rockwell Collins CEO, Clay Jones. I worked at Rockwell Collins from 1999-2017, and was heavily involved in the Lean Electronics program. In this clip, you'll hear him discuss why they brought in some external consultants like John Shook and Denny Mead to try and figure out why all the improvements were not…

1
E105: The Lean Journey at Rockwell Collins with Clay Jones - Part 2 12:17

2M ago12:17

12:17

This is part 2 of the 2006 speech given by Rockwell Collins CEO, Clay Jones. I worked at Rockwell Collins from 1999-2017, and was heavily involved in the Lean Electronics program. In this clip, you'll hear him discuss how they created and rolled out Lean Electronics program across both manufacturing and the office, and selected Decorah (Iowa) as th…

1
E104: The Lean Journey at Rockwell Collins with Clay Jones - Part 1 8:32

3M ago8:32

8:32

For the next few podcasts, I'll be sharing clips from a 2006 speech given by Rockwell Collins CEO, Clay Jones. I worked at Rockwell Collins from 1999-2017, and was heavily involved in the Lean Electronics program. I credit Clay and the "Lean Electronics" program for giving me the skills and experience to make this my passion, allowing me to eventua…

1
E103: How to gather data before starting an improvement project 7:01

3M ago7:01

7:01

In a recent class I taught, we were discussing the Project Charter, which asks you to fill in the baseline data for the metric you're trying to improve. I explain how you need to be persistent to find data, and not to start a project if you don't have any data, especially for a training class, or for your first project. I also answer a student ques…

1
E102: How Green Belt training can benefit you personally and your organization 5:07

4M ago5:07

5:07

In this podcast, I share a short clip from a recent training class, explaining the benefits of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training to an organization, but more importantly, why it's important to the people attending the clas personally. If you're interested in taking a Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt course, consider these self-paced affordable cours…

1
E101: My thoughts on former Boeing Quality Manager (John Barnett) interview prior to death 7:50

5M ago7:50

7:50

In episode 101, I share an interview clip from John Barnett, former Boeing Quality Manager, as he discusses the culture of quality that might explain the recent airline issues. He was found dead while he was giving a deposition about his former company, but I don't go into those details. I wanted to share my insights about a comment he made that in…

1
0116. Harnessing the Power of PPM Tools for Organizational Synergy: A review of Smartsheet's PPM whitepaper. 53:37

5M ago53:37

53:37

Send us a Text Message. -Effective Project Portfolio Management Strategies -Challenges and Opportunities in PPM Tools -Implementing Technology in Organizational Processes -Effective Deployment of PPM Tools IDC White Paper: The Power of Next-Gen Project and Portfolio Management https://www.smartsheet.com/inside-smartsheet/research/IDC-project-portfo…

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E100: How 6 M's and Fishbone (Ishikawa) or Cause and Effect Diagrams Can Help Reduce Water Consumption Usage in your Company 7:07

6M ago7:07

7:07

In episode 100, I share a segment of a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training course I conducted, where I went into details about the Fishbone Diagram and the 6 M's, and I thought you might find it useful. When you are trying to uncover possible causes of a problem, using the 6 M's with a Fishbone Diagram is a great way to enhance your team brainstormi…

1
E99: Excerpt from the book, "Lean Six Sigma for Good - Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 1)" 6:56

6M ago6:56

6:56

In episode 97, we released an excerpt by Elisabeth Swan from "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 1)" This is an excerpt from the audiobook version Volume 1. I share the story of running a small nonprofit organization in Portland, called Recycling Advocates (now called Waste-free Advocates). We created a fundraiser conference ca…

1
Episode 15. Innovating for Tomorrow: Sustainable Pharma Facilities and Digital Revolutions 44:15

6M ago44:15

44:15

Send us a Text Message. - Unpacks insights from ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference - Focuses on sustainability and digital evolution in pharma - Next-gen facilities are efficient and eco-friendly - Shift to interconnected data systems revolutionizes research - Tools like Benchling streamline data and asset management - Networking fosters coll…

1
E98: Lean Six Sigma training and Coaching Program Case Studies 11:56

6M ago11:56

11:56

In this podcast, I expand on Podcast #96, where I talked about the questions to consider in a training and coaching program. I go through 6 different case studies of customized training and coaching programs I've helped develop with clients to meet their specific needs, and how the payback on training is often as short as a few months! If you'd lik…

1
E97: Excerpt from the book, "Lean Six Sigma for Good - Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 2)" 6:44

6M ago6:44

6:44

This is an excerpt from the audiobook version of "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 2)" Elisabeth Swan shares the story of volunteering with the Cape Cod Childcare Development nonprofit organization. She discusses getting a call from the CEO to help the organization utilize more Lean Six Sigma Green Belt skills and methods wit…

1
E96: What is the best option for effective Lean Six Sigma training and coaching? 12:20

7M ago12:20

12:20

When I talk to clients about training their team, that usually opens up a lot of questions in my mind that we'll need to discuss before I can give them a ballpark number quote. In this podcast, I run through the questions you need to consider in order to create an effective training program that will result in hands-on application and payback on th…

1
Episode 14. Triumphs in Team Bonding and Strategic Vision at Sigma Lab Consulting 1:05:41

7M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Send us a Text Message. - Unexpected team bonding and strategic planning during a snowed-in off-site retreat at Sigma Lab Consulting - Reflecting on past year's successes and future opportunities - Team cohesion and unique problem-solving approach leading to repeat engagements with diverse clients - Integrating Lean Six Sigma with deep industry kno…

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E95: Hypothesis Testing Basics - Can James Bond tell the difference between a shaken or stirred martini? 4:37

7M ago4:37

4:37

To explain the concepts of hypothesis testing (null and alternative hypothesis statements), I use an example of James Bond. His famous line is "shaken, not stirred" when ordering a martini. In a hypothesis test, we would set the null (default) hypothesis to say that he cannot tell the difference. The alternative hypothesis would be proven if there …

1
Episode 13. Seamless Teamwork and Strategic Tools for a Smooth R&D Operation 1:02:38

7M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

Send us a Text Message. - Boost R&D team efficiency through collaboration and accountability - Address inefficiencies in most R&D projects - Cultivate a successful life sciences workplace culture - Refine data for actionable insights and shared ownership - Align project goals with corporate objectives - Optimize equipment scheduling for lab efficie…

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E94: Interested in a Free "Lean at Home" Coaching Program? 3:39

7M ago3:39

3:39

Back in 2020, I created a course called "Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques" and I'm offering a free coaching program this month to help you complete the course and get help implementing the concepts into your personal life. Are you interested? Contact me at brion@biz-pi.com Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean…

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Episode 12. Safeguarding Scientific Progress with a Maintenance Master Plan. 37:40

8M ago37:40

37:40

Send us a Text Message. - Highlight the critical importance of a robust asset management strategy. - Discuss maintenance scheduling, coordination, and the power of clear communication. - Emphasize post-service rituals to ensure optimal equipment performance. - Share personal experiences and lessons learned from overlooked maintenance. - Advocate fo…

1
Episode 11. Mastering the Game of Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement. 51:11

8M ago51:11

51:11

Send us a Text Message. - Discover actionable strategies for success, including data-driven decisions and effective communication. - Learn why operational excellence involves refining resources, not just adding them. - Unlock the power of performance metrics and turning concerns into quantifiable data. - Explore making lasting workflow adjustments …

1
E93: An overview of Statistical Process Control (SPC) 6:49

8M ago6:49

6:49

In one of my recent Six Sigma classes, I provide a simplistic explanation of SPC and control charts, and why they are essential to detecting problems quickly in your processes. If you're interested in learning more about SPC, check out the link below. Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SPC Module within Six Sigma Green Belt Training ⁠Lean Six Sigma Project Coaching Progra…

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Episode 10. Exploring the Impact of Inventory Control on Business Performance. 40:09

9M ago40:09

40:09

Send us a Text Message. - Uncover the potential of inventory management for business success. - Dive into laboratory inventory and budget management intricacies. - Learn the art of categorizing items in databases and tracking consumable usage. - Explore unique inventory challenges in manufacturing, including traceability and equipment reliability. …

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E92: Should my kaizen event be a planning session or a working session? 8:16

9M ago8:16

8:16

In one of my recent Lean classes, I discuss the difference between planning kaizen events and working kaizen events. Planning events end up with a 90-day implemenatation plan. Working events end up with 80% completion of actions by the end of the event, with 30 days to complete the remaining 20% of the actions. I try and encourage more working sess…

1
E91: How can I get the most frontline worker participation in a kaizen working event? 6:23

9M ago6:23

6:23

In one of my recent Lean classes, I discuss ways to engage front line workers in working kaizen events. I talk about the differences between working and planning sessions in my last podcast. I discuss options for working ahead, catching up afterwards, having half-day sessions (half kaizen, half working), splitting the event across many shifts, and …

1
Episode 09. The Art and Science of Optimizing R&D Timelines in Life Sciences. 40:22

9M ago40:22

40:22

Send us a Text Message. - Explore challenges and the fast-paced nature of R&D. - Discuss the merits and demerits of the waterfall approach. - Offer tips for maintaining momentum in short task sprints. - Provide insights on optimizing R&D timelines. - Highlight the importance of clear timeline structure and adaptability. - Share practical strategies…

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E90: Free Lean and Sustainability Webinar Series - Nov 28th and 30th 7:05

9M ago7:05

7:05

I've been helping set up a webinar series with support from the Iowa Sustainable Business Forum and the Iowa Lean Consortium. There are two webinars you can choose from, or sign up for both. I will be presenting the first webinar, Lean Methods for Sustainable Organizations. I will introduce those in sustainability roles to Lean methods, which have …

1
E89: Q&A from Six Sigma training - What to do when data collection system is under development? 5:11

9M ago5:11

5:11

In this episode, I answer another question in one of my Six Sigma classes. The student said they were having supplier issues, but the data wasn't very good. There is a plan to implement a data collection system, but it might not be ready for a few months. Should she wait until the system is ready and then start her project, or start now and collect…

1
Episode 08. Sigma Lab Consulting's First Year: Triumphs, Challenges, and the Art of Consulting. 58:24

9M ago58:24

58:24

Send us a Text Message. - Explore a year in the life of Sigma Lab Consulting. - Share the rollercoaster journey, trials, triumphs, and memorable moments with clients. - Spotlight on work-life balance and the world of consulting. - Discuss the art of simplification, process optimization, and creative problem-solving. - Highlight the importance of bu…

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E88: Q&A from Six Sigma training - What if solutions are part of your Six Sigma project charter? 7:45

10M ago7:45

7:45

In this episode, I answer a question in one of my Six Sigma classes. The student said they were not sure if their project could be used, because it alreadys mentions some solutions to the problem, and the training said no solutions can be defined at the beginning of a Six Sigma project. He wanted to know how to handle this situation, which is very …

1
E87: Six Sigma in Real Life: Taguchi Loss Function for Hotel Pool Temps and the Solar Eclipse 9:37

10M ago9:37

9:37

In this podcast, I discuss the Taguchi Loss Function again, this time using some real-life examples. I discuss hotel pool temperatures, solar eclipses, and fruit ripeness. I originally talked about this topic in Episode 37, explaining how an increase in variation away from the target value (even within specification limits) leads to an exponential …

1
E86: Camping and the 8 Wastes (TIM WOODS) 20:57

10M ago20:57

20:57

In this episode, I go through TIM WOODS, which is an acronym to describe the 8 types of waste in a process. As an example, I discuss how the 8 wastes apply to recent camping trips I've been making with my wife this summer and fall. Hopefully, this gives you some ideas on how to see waste in your daily activities and work tasks. Sorry for the length…

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E85: Six Sigma Criticisms #1 - The Motorola 1.5 Sigma Shift 9:36

11M ago9:36

9:36

In this episode, I discuss some common criticisms about Six Sigma that I've been hearing about over the years. These tend to make their rounds on LinkedIn every few months or years, so I wanted to take each one and go much deeper in the podcast than I can online. Let's start with one of the biggest ones, the 1.5 sigma shift, also called the Motorol…

1
E84: Using Process Mapping and Regression to Reduce Electricity Usage 13:06

11M ago13:06

13:06

In this episode, I discuss my work with a client that is trying to improve their sustainability score. One of the next steps is to establish a goal for electricity reduction, since it is a large contributor to their carbon footprint. I explain how to apply process mapping to heating and cooling a building, and why regression modeling and analysis c…

1
E83: Clip from Interview with Climate Change Professional David Saunders 6:44

12M ago6:44

6:44

In this episode, I discuss an interview and discussion I had with Climate Change Professional and former Quality executive, David Saunders. We talk about how to leverage your skills of process and quality improvement to improve the environment and help mitigate climate change. Links Full interview with David Saunders: Video | Audio Podcast Need hel…

1
E82: Q&A from SPC presentation - What software to use? What about nonnormal data? 7:34

1y ago7:34

7:34

In this episode, I share some audio from a presentation I gave to Lean Portland for their July Happy Hour. I discussed Statistical Process Control (SPC) and how to detect out of control conditions. I'm sharing two questions that were asked at the end of the talk: 1) For office applications of SPC, what software package would be recommended to make …

1
E81: Does Toyota use SPC Control Charts? 8:49

1y ago8:49

8:49

In this episode, I share the audio from a presentation I gave to Lean Portland for their July Happy Hour. I discuss Statistical Process Control (SPC) and why it's not seen very much in Toyota facilities anymore. I also include a question that was asked related to the transition from monitoring outputs to inputs. The full presentation can be watched…

1
E80: Reduce environmental impacts in your business with Ecology's Lean/Green program 8:48

1y ago8:48

8:48

In this episode, I discuss the Washington State Department of Ecology Lean and Green program that I've been supporting the last few years as a consultant. The audio is an interview with the program administrator and my contact point at Ecology, Hugh O'Neill. He shares how this program can help businesses save money, reduce their environmental impac…

1
E79: How to measure variation using Range and Standard Deviation 5:57

1y ago5:57

5:57

In this episode, I discuss how to measure variation in a process, using Range and Standard Deviation. Variation is an important concept to understand how to improve a process. This was audio from a recent Six Sigma Yellow Belt course I taught. You might have heard of these concepts before, but hopefully it will be a good refresher for you. Links Op…

1
E78: How to measure central tendency using the mean and median (and which is better) 9:43

1y ago9:43

9:43

The following topic was taken from one of my recent Yellow Belt courses, explaining how to use Mean (or average) and Median to measure the middle of a set of data, whether it is solar panel production, calories eaten per day or electricity consumed per day. Links OpEx Learning Yellow Belt Course Need help in your organization? ⁠⁠⁠Let's talk! Schedu…

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E77: Client Survey Shows Daily Huddles Improve Communication and Engagement Based on Paired T-Test Analysis 8:48

1y ago8:48

8:48

For one of my clients, we conducted a survey of their employees to understand if daily huddles were helping them be more engaged in their work. The results of the 7 questions found a statistically significant improvement in scores after the huddles were implemented. Listen to the episode to learn more about the questions and the Paired T-test analy…

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E76: Why You Should Not Skip Over Measure and Analyze in your DMAIC Improvement Project 4:26

1y ago4:26

4:26

In this episode, I share some audio about DMAIC from a recent class I taught, and I thought you'd find it helpful. I express the importance of ignoring improvement ideas in a DMAIC project until after you go through Define, Measure and Analyze first. You will get pressure to jump to Improve before you're ready, so resist that urge and trust the pro…

1
E75: Lean in Real Life - Small improvements add up with water cooler and dealing with small samples 11:24

1+ y ago11:24

11:24

In this episode, I discuss an improvement I made at home, that saved time in my personal life, and why small improvements are worth pursuing and not overlooking. I also discuss how small sample sizes are not a barrier to running statistical tests of significance or hypothesis tests. Links 2 Second Lean with Paul Akers Need help in your organization…

1
E74: 10 things to consider before completing the DMAIC Control Phase 8:43

1+ y ago8:43

8:43

In this episode, I discuss the importance of the Control phase in a Six Sigma DMAIC Improvement project, including the key considerations to make before closing out your improvement activity. Create a system and/or process to monitor the results Update any documentation of the processes and procedures Update any training of the processes Create a r…

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Episode 07. When "house flipping" meets corporate America. Process improvement for the eventual asset sale. 51:35

1+ y ago51:35

51:35

Send us a Text Message. What happens when an equity firm wants to add to their portfolio? Only the asset is not quite polished for purchase? In this episode we connect with Jon Holden, Private Equity Management Consultant. Jon walks us through various examples of how private equity firms launch teams into organizations in an effort to improve proce…

1
Episode 06. Workplace Conflict- Where does it come from? What can we do about it? 58:59

1+ y ago58:59

58:59

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we connect with Ryan Dunlap, Founder & Chief Conflict Officer of Conflictish, a conflict strategy firm dedicated to helping leaders improve how they lead themselves and others through conflict. Conflict takes many forms, in the workplace, at home, it can be intrapersonal or interpersonal. So how do we naviga…

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Episode 05. Automating simple processes to give time back on critical tasks. 48:43

1+ y ago48:43

48:43

Send us a Text Message. Episode 5 explores the world of automations. Have you found yourself in a position where mundane tasks seem to take too much time to perform? The copy+paste function is alive and well in 2023. In this episode, we hear from Dan Luu, Senior Data Engineering Consultant on why integrating automations in our day to day can help d…

1
E73: Women in Manufacturing Panel Discussion on Lean Manufacturing 10:13

1+ y ago10:13

10:13

In this episode, I share the audio from a panel discussion I was asked to participate on Wednesday this week. The discussion was focused on Lean Manufacturing, but we also discussed Six Sigma quite a bit. The event was hosted by the Texas Chapter of the Women in Manufacturing Association. They are the only national and global trade association dedi…

1
E72: How to finalize a project when results might take years to measure? 9:19

1+ y ago9:19

9:19

In this episode, I provide some tips on how to close out a project or improvement effort, when the primary metric may longer than a year before you might be able to see tangible results. I also discuss other things you can do to prove in the short term that your improvements will be effective in the long run. Links Need help in your organization? L…

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Episode 04. REVIEW: Outsourcing Clinical Trials New England 2022. 50:00

1+ y ago50:00

50:00

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Oscar Gonzalez gives us a review of Outsourcing Clinical Trials New England 2022 and his fireside chat titled: "Wearables, ePRO, eConsent, Big Data: Are We Prepared for the Digital Transformation?" Oscar gives us insights into: 1) Ensuring success of digital transformations 2) Implementing new technologies w…

1
Episode 03. It was almost a fever dream. 39:10

1+ y ago39:10

39:10

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we welcome our first podcast guest Lauren Perna, CEO & Head Writer for Lauren Perna Communications. Lauren is also the founder of Mentally Fit Founder to bring awareness to mental health, speaking on her own challenges over the years. We touch on her transition into the life sciences industry and how that sp…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Lean 6 Sigma Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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