lean & six-sigma - Latest Comments in Six Sigma, Lean or TOC: What’s the Difference?

Re: Six Sigma, Lean or TOC: What’s the Difference?

Samuel Okoro — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:38:28 -0000

I agree with your view that the various improvement approaches are complementary. Lean and six sigma provide the actual tools for making improvements while TOC helps focus those efforts on areas with immediate bottom line impact.

It is like trying to strengthen a chain with a weak link. Any efforts applied to links other than the weak link are wasted and do not contribute to the overall strength of the chain. TOC identifies the weakest link, and out of myriad problems faced in the production setting can point out those which if solved will stengthen the link (thus immediately contributing to the overall success of the business).

Re: Six Sigma, Lean or TOC: What’s the Difference?

admin — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:48:33 -0000

@Ron: Thanks for the comment Ron. I believe the tends are perpetuated to a degree by consultants, who in turn are responding to customer demands.

@Jack222: You clearly need to understand what lean's about!

Re: Six Sigma, Lean or TOC: What’s the Difference?

Jack222 — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:44:10 -0000

Don't you know that lean is a bunch of crap! It only exists to give consultants $$$$. Idiots like you and your readers need a kick in the ass!!

Re: Six Sigma, Lean or TOC: What’s the Difference?

Ron — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:40:19 -0000

Rob, I agree with most of things you mention. The biggest flaw with TOC, in my opinion, is their focus on always making the bottleneck (Herbie) the pacemaker. I wrote a series on this over on my blog comparing the TOC bottleneck to the Lean pacemaker. I personally believe lean has it right and Mr. Goldratt could improve on his ideas upon reading more of Mr. Ohno's ideas.