Lean Six Sigma

In 2004, i-nexus were the first company to introduce the concept of maturity modelling in performance improvement programs. The PIMM model of Performance Improvement Maturity, our four-phase approach to growing programs and program returns, is the backbone of our support for clients and the key driver of product research and development.

In formulating the model, we realized the tools and toolsets that clients need to drive results from their programs mature in the same way as the improvement programs. We designed our software to address the stages/levels on this journey.

1) Prove Stage: Start up, training and trial

Typically, the first stage of any performance improvement initiative is a pilot of limited training (perhaps 1 or 2 waves) and a few projects. We call it the 'Prove' stage. It's the stage at which project success is critical and the priority is really around both generating enthusiasm and demonstrating the success of the approach.

For clients at this stage, i-nexus provides a 'Belt Support Tool' solution. The Belt Support Tool is an 'easy-to-use' configuration that's based on the Project Edition of our software and integrated into the belt training process. The Belt Support Tool solution is commonly used as part of Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques training delivered by our consultancy partners. The Belt Support Tool:

-    helps course administrators control training;
-    guides trainees through their first project;
-    allows trainers to see progress and coach on line where necessary;
-    provides the Performance Improvement Leader with the tangible evidence of success (i.e. completed projects and demonstrable financial benefits).

Click to read our case study about deployment of a Belt Support Tool Solution at Ghana Goldfields.

Read more about the Prove Stage in the i-nexus whitepaper, Uncommon Practices, Exceptional Results.

 2) 'Scale and Replicate' Stage: Program expansion and control

In our experience, the majority of Lean Six Sigma Programs are in the 'Scale and Replicate' stage. The challenges at this stage revolve around controlling the expanding program, maintaining senior management commitment, and demonstrating an ever increasing Return on Investment (i.e. that financial returns are many times more than the investment in training and program running costs).

For clients at this stage, i-nexus provides its comprehensive 'Lean Six Sigma' Solution. The i-nexus Lean Six Sigma Solution is the world's leading Deployment Management System, based on the Program Edition of our software.  The Lean Six Sigma Solution:

-   helps project managers administer their projects with minimal non-value added time;
-   automatically reports progress to all stakeholders through a linked series of reports, delivered direct to the desktop (staggered reporting);
-   maintains a laser focus on the program's Return on Investment through a real-time 'Deployment Dashboard' that shows the current average cycle time, project success rate, savings per project, project concurrency and program cost (i.e. the key drivers of 'Return on Investment').

Click to read our case study about deployment at ALSTOM, or download our Lean Six Sigma Solution briefing.

Read more about the Scale and Replicate Stage in the i-nexus whitepaper, Uncommon Practices, Exceptional Results.

3) 'Internalize Stage': Alignment with business performance objectives and measures

In the third stage - the 'Internalize' stage - the selection, running and impact of improvement projects are managed and reported as part of the normal day-to-day management cycle of the business.  The challenge at this stage is simple to say and hard to achieve: make improved performance 'just the way we do things'.

For clients at this stage, i-nexus provides an Operational Scorecard Deployment Solution. The Operational Scorecard Deployment Solution is based on the Performance Edition of our software and provides a simple process-driven roadmap for clients to establish a robust management review cycle around their key measures (KPIs).  The Operational Scorecard Deployment Solution allows clients to:

-    identify leading rather than lagging measures and capture them on an operational scorecard;
-    scope actions based on performance gaps identified by cause effect analysis;
-    drive actions based on the appropriate methodology;
-    track actions through to completion;
-   see the effect of actions on the key measures (KPIs).

Read more about the Internalize Stage in the i-nexus whitepaper, Changing The Game.

4) 'Align and Integrate Stage': Execute Strategy

In the fourth stage - the 'Align and Integrate' stage - the performance improvement program becomes fully integrated and aligned with the execution of corporate strategy.  For clients at this stage, i-nexus provides the Strategy Deployment Solution.  The Strategy Deployment Solution allows clients to:

-    capture strategies;
-    cascade objectives down the organization using Hoshin Planning or Goal Deployment techniques;
-    drive an aligned portfolio of actions;
-    see the impact of action against the key business measures;
-    maintain a clear line of sight between strategy and action in real time.

Read more about the Strategy Deployment Solution.

Click to read our case study about strategy deployment at Dresser Inc.

Find out more

Find out more about how i-nexus can help you at any of the stages by selecting one of the following options:

-    arrange a guided demonstration
-    speak to our team for more details.