{"id":196,"date":"2024-11-21T09:10:44","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T09:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/?p=196"},"modified":"2026-06-23T22:32:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T22:32:00","slug":"improve-supply-chain-with-lean-six-sigma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/improve-supply-chain-with-lean-six-sigma\/","title":{"rendered":"Improve Your Supply Chain With Lean Six Sigma"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" style=\"float: right;padding: 10px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/wp-content\/themes\/lss-2021\/images\/blog\/lss-supply-chain.jpg\" alt=\"warehouse in a lean six sigma optimized supply chain\" \/>Every business is unique. For most, simply adopting a single, prescribed approach is a risky move. In the case of <a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/what-is-six-sigma\/\" title=\"What is Six Sigma\">Six Sigma<\/a>, it can be especially tempting to, seeing the success of major companies that have used the method in the past, simply declare Six Sigma the law of the land and start tearing into your supply chain. But without carefully honed expertise in the method, adaptation to individual business goals, and proper support, a well-intentioned project <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/SB10001424052748703298004574457471313938130\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">can fall flat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With so many moving parts that need to mesh perfectly together, supply chain management is a delicate process. A seemingly small adjustment can have far-reaching consequences throughout the production cycle. This is why Lean Six Sigma can be such a powerful force. When applied by experts in its use, Six Sigma methodologies, paired with the Lean approach, help quality control officers and managers identify issues that would otherwise remain hidden.<\/p>\n<div class=\"form-wrap inline bg-black mt-5 mb-5\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-12 col-xl-5\">\n               <span class=\"header-alt border-gold txt-white\">Get Started Now<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"txt-white\">Request<br class=\"d-none d-xl-inline\"> Information<\/h2>\n<p class=\"section-intro mb-4\">To learn more about Purdue University&#8217;s <strong>online Lean Six Sigma Training and Certification program<\/strong> and <button class=\"download focus-interest\"><strong>download a free brochure<\/strong><\/button>, fill out this form. You can also email us at <strong><a href='mailto:LSSonline@purdue.edu'>LSSonline@purdue.edu<\/a><\/strong> or call us at <strong><a href='tel:(765) 253-6940'>(765) 253-6940<\/a><\/strong> to speak to one of our enrollment specialists.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-12 col-xl-7 pl-xl-5\">\n<div class=\"form\">\n                    <link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.allcampus.com\/archa-form\/archa-form-one-step.css\">\n    <div class=\"form one-step\">\n        <!--PRODUCTION-->\n        <form id=\"rfi_form\" action=\"https:\/\/allcampus.archacrm.com\/v1\/inquiry\" method=\"POST\">\n                            <input\n        id=\"ace_key\"\n        name=\"ace_key\"\n        type=\"hidden\"\n        value=\"714ba80b-7de2-4295-8e04-7b527f361841\"\n    \/>\n    <input\n        id=\"ace_redirect\"\n        name=\"ace_redirect\"\n        type=\"hidden\"\n        value=\"\/thanks\/\"\n    \/>\n                        <input id=\"programs\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"programs\" value=\"PUR-PURLSS-LSSGP\" \/>\n        \n    \n            <div class=\"select-wrap\">\n            <label for=\"user_signup\">I am interested in this training for <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n            <select id=\"user_signup\" name=\"user_signup\">\n                <option value=\"\">[Select One]<\/option>\n                <option value=\"Myself\">Myself<\/option>\n                <option value=\"A group of co-workers\">A group of co-workers<\/option>\n            <\/select>\n        <\/div>\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n            <div id=\"one-step-fields\">\n                    <div class=\"input-wrap\">\n        <label for=\"first_name\">First Name<span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n        <input id=\"first_name\" name=\"first_name\" type=\"text\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-label=\"First Name\" value=\"\"\/>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"input-wrap\">\n        <label for=\"last_name\">Last Name<span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n        <input id=\"last_name\" name=\"last_name\" type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Last Name\" aria-label=\"Last Name\" value=\"\"\/>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"input-wrap\">\n        <label for=\"email\">Email<span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n        <input id=\"email\" name=\"email\" type=\"email\" placeholder=\"Email\" aria-label=\"Email\" value=\"\"\/>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"input-wrap\">\n        <label for=\"phone\">Phone<span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n        <input id=\"phone\" name=\"phone\" type=\"tel\" aria-label=\"Phone\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Phone Number\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"input-wrap d-none\">\n        <label class=\"d-none\" for=\"website\">Website<\/label>\n        <input class=\"d-none\" id=\"website\" name=\"website\" type=\"text\" value=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"off\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n                <div id=\"sms-opt-in\">\n        <input id=\"ac_sms_opt_in\" name=\"ac_sms_opt_in\" value=\"true\" type=\"checkbox\" \/>\n        <label for=\"ac_sms_opt_in\">By checking this box, I authorize Purdue University  and its representatives to contact me via text messages. 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This consent is not required as a condition of enrollment. <a href=\"https:\/\/legal.allcampus.org\/terms\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Terms<\/a>.<\/label>\n        <input id=\"ac_ai_opt_in_label\" name=\"ac_ai_opt_in_label\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <script>\n        (() => {\n            \/\/ Send the label text of the AI opt in as a hidden value to the inquiry form\n            document.getElementById('ac_ai_opt_in_label').value = document.getElementById('label_for_ai_opt_in').innerHTML;   \n        })();\n    <\/script>\n\n            <div class=\"form-controls\">\n                <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Request Brochure\" id=\"request\" class=\"ignore form-control\"><\/input>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <p class=\"tcpa\">    Purdue University has engaged AllCampus to help support your educational journey. AllCampus will contact you shortly in response to your request for information. <a href=\"https:\/\/legal.allcampus.org\/about\" target=\"_blank\" >About AllCampus<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/legal.allcampus.org\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Privacy Policy<\/a>. You may opt out of receiving communications at any time.\n<\/p>\n            <p class=\"privacy\">    <span>*<\/span> All Fields are Required. Your Privacy is Protected.\n    <a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/international-students\/\" class=\"international-link\"><i class=\"fas fa-globe-americas\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i> Are you enrolling from outside the US? 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Today\u2019s businesses need to constantly seek out more efficient methods and processes. Lean Six Sigma provides an excellent framework for this endeavor, combining the defect prevention focus of Six Sigma with the emphasis on waste reduction and streamlining offered by Lean thinking.<\/p>\n<p>There are a number of ways that companies around the world have used Lean Six Sigma methodology to improve supply chain performance.<\/p>\n<p>The goals of Six Sigma are to decrease waste, prevent defects and improve performance. Some of the key benefits in leveraging Six Sigma in Supply Chain Management include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Improved Supply Chain Efficiency:<\/strong> Six Sigma streamlines processes by reducing inefficiencies, leading to faster production cycles and shorter lead times.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Refined Quality Control:<\/strong> With a focus on preventing defects, Six Sigma ensures consistent product quality and reduces customer complaints.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost Reduction:<\/strong> Through waste elimination and process optimization, Six Sigma lowers operational costs across the supply chain.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Increased Customer Satisfaction:<\/strong> Timely delivery of high-quality products improves customer satisfaction and loyalty.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scalability:<\/strong> Standardized processes ensure that the supply chain scales effectively alongside rising demand without sacrificing efficiency or quality.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improved Supplier Relationships:<\/strong> Collaboration with suppliers enhances process quality, resulting in stronger partnerships and more reliable outcomes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sustainable Practices:<\/strong> By reducing waste and optimizing resource use, Six Sigma helps create more sustainable supply chain practices.<\/li>\n<hr style=\"width:10%\">\n<h3 title=\"Decrease waste\">Decrease waste<\/h3>\n<p>Reducing waste is one of the central objectives of the Lean methodology. But what\u2019s more important is how supply chain analysts determine what\u2019s truly wasteful and not a necessary part of the process. For Lean businesses, this distinction is made based on one variable: value to the customer.<\/p>\n<p>There are 8 potential wastes that can affect a supply chain:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Defects<\/li>\n<li>Overproduction<\/li>\n<li>Waiting<\/li>\n<li>Non-utilized talent<\/li>\n<li>Transportation<\/li>\n<li>Motion<\/li>\n<li>Extra processing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A Lean business aims to deliver the highest quality product at the lowest possible price, which means using few resources as effectively as possible to bring that product to market. Any part of the process that doesn\u2019t actively and directly contribute to that goal is considered waste. Using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/dmaic-vs-dmadv\/\">Six Sigma DMAIC\/DMADV approach<\/a> combined with the Lean method can help identify these wasteful elements, keeping costs low for the business and the customer.<\/p>\n<hr style=\"width:10%\">\n<h3 title=\"Prevent defects\">Prevent defects<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" style=\"float: left;padding: 10px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/wp-content\/themes\/lss-2021\/images\/blog\/lss-supply-chain-1.jpg\" alt=\"supply chain lss\" \/>The Six Sigma method was originally developed to combat defects in manufacturing, lowering them within an acceptable tolerance. The in-depth insight into quality control processes provided by Six Sigma analysis can be invaluable to any supply chain manager. Identifying the root cause of defects and refining the production process accordingly is made much clearer through the DMAIC approach.<\/p>\n<p>Lean thinking has its role to play in this, as well. Any complex, convoluted, time-consuming process leaves more room for failure, opening up opportunities for human or technical error. By integrating the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/purdue-online-lss-and-pm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lean method with Six Sigma analysis<\/a>, processes can be simplified and streamlined. This means fewer defects, which helps maintain quality standards and decreases the waste caused by defective products.<\/p>\n<hr style=\"width:10%\">\n<h3 title=\"Improve performance\">Improve performance<\/h3>\n<p>The combined Lean and Six Sigma methods are uniquely suited to optimizing a supply chain. Together, these philosophies provide a unified focus on two fundamental aspects of manufacturing: efficiency and quality. Every stage of the <a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/dmaic-vs-dmadv\/\">DMAIC\/DMADV<\/a> approach is an excellent opportunity to refine processes, solve problems, and reduce waste. The result? A stronger bottom line.<\/p>\n<p>The Lean Six Sigma method can help supply chain managers ensure that every part of their process isn\u2019t just defect-free, but focused on their customer. By defining their customer base and needs early on in the DMAIC\/DMADV process, businesses can align all of their process improvements to the goal of serving their customers with distinction. Every team member can stay focused on the ultimate goal, which is to make customers happy with their purchase.<\/p>\n<p>This simultaneous focus on the customer and the process is what makes Lean Six Sigma such a valuable, high-impact skill-set. When everyone unifies to serve the customer, businesses thrive.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 title=\"Purdue's Online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Certificate Program\">About Purdue&#8217;s Online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Certificate Program<\/h2>\n<p>Purdue University offers comprehensive <a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/\" title=\"Six Sigma Certificates\">online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) certificate programs<\/a> designed for working professionals with varying levels of Lean Six Sigma experience. The online Lean Six Sigma certificate courses prepare professionals to satisfy the immense demand for Lean expertise, skills and certification. <\/p>\n<p>Purdue offers the following courses 100% online:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/lean-six-sigma-green-belt-certification\/\" title=\"Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate\">Six Sigma Green Belt<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/lean-principles-certification\/\" title=\"Lean Principles Certificate\">Lean Principles<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/lean-six-sigma-black-belt-certification\/\" title=\"Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate\">Six Sigma Black Belt<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/leansixsigmaonline\/green-belt-refresher\/\" title=\"Six Sigma Green Belt Refresher\">Six Sigma Green Belt Refresher<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every business is unique. For most, simply adopting a single, prescribed approach is a risky move. In the case of Six Sigma, it can be &#8230; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/improve-supply-chain-with-lean-six-sigma\/\" class=\"read_more btn btn-text mt-0\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-applications-lean-six-sigma","category-lean-manufacturing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Improve Supply Chains with Lean Six Sigma - Purdue Online<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read how supply chain management has been improved in a number of ways around the world by using Lean Six Sigma methodology.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/improve-supply-chain-with-lean-six-sigma\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Improve Supply Chains with Lean Six Sigma - Purdue Online\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Read how supply chain management has been improved in a number of ways around the world by using Lean Six Sigma methodology.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/improve-supply-chain-with-lean-six-sigma\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lean Six Sigma Online Certification &amp; Training at Purdue University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PurdueOnlineLSSPM\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-11-21T09:10:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-23T22:32:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/wp-content\/themes\/purdue-lss\/images\/social\/purdue-banner-logo.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Will VanDenBerg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@PurdueProfDev\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@PurdueProfDev\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Will VanDenBerg\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Improve Supply Chains with Lean Six Sigma - Purdue Online","description":"Read how supply chain management has been improved in a number of ways around the world by using Lean Six Sigma methodology.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/improve-supply-chain-with-lean-six-sigma\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Improve Supply Chains with Lean Six Sigma - Purdue Online","og_description":"Read how supply chain management has been improved in a number of ways around the world by using Lean Six Sigma methodology.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/leansixsigmaonline\/blog\/improve-supply-chain-with-lean-six-sigma\/","og_site_name":"Lean Six Sigma Online Certification &amp; 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