Kanban and Lean Six Sigma: How They Work Together
Lean Six Sigma fixes problems with data; Kanban keeps work flowing every day. Used together, Kanban reveals the bottlenecks and runs the improvement projects, while Six Sigma finds and removes the root causes.
Quick answer: Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven improvement method that reduces waste and variation through DMAIC projects (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). Kanban is a flow method that visualises work and limits WIP. They work together: Kanban exposes problems and manages the project portfolio, and a Kanban pull system is often one of the improvements a DMAIC project puts in place.
1. Key Takeaways
- Lean Six Sigma reduces waste and variation; Kanban manages flow.
- Run DMAIC on a Kanban board: one column per phase.
- Use Kanban to limit how many improvement projects run at once.
- Kanban pull systems are a common Improve-phase solution.
- Kaizen, Kanban and Six Sigma cover daily, flow and deep fixes.
2. What Is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma combines lean’s focus on waste with Six Sigma’s statistical tools for reducing variation, using DMAIC projects led by trained “belts”.
3. Kanban vs Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma runs improvement projects; Kanban manages the daily flow of work – they solve different problems.
4. Where Kanban Helps in Six Sigma
Kanban helps Six Sigma by limiting projects in progress, tracking actions, exposing problems and sustaining the Control phase.
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5. Kaizen, Kanban and Six Sigma
Kaizen handles small daily improvements, Kanban the flow of work and Six Sigma the big, data-heavy problems.
6. Lean Six Sigma Kanban Board Examples
Here are three Lean Six Sigma boards built in PlanBoards.
DMAIC project – scrap reduction
Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve (WIP 2) and Control – with SIPOC, 5 Whys and a control chart.
Lean Six Sigma portfolio
Ideas, Selected, DMAIC (WIP 4) and Results.
Kaizen events board
Problems, Kaizen Event (WIP 2), Check and Standardized.
7. FAQ
These are the questions people ask about Kanban and Lean Six Sigma.
Is Kanban part of Lean Six Sigma?
Kanban is a lean tool; Lean Six Sigma practitioners often use it as an improvement and to manage projects.
What is the difference between Kanban and Six Sigma?
Kanban manages the flow of work; Six Sigma reduces variation and defects through data-driven projects.
What is DMAIC?
Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control – the Six Sigma project roadmap.
Can I run DMAIC on a Kanban board?
Yes – one column per phase, one card per task, with a WIP limit on Improve.
How do kaizen, Kanban and Six Sigma fit together?
Kaizen for daily small changes, Kanban for flow, Six Sigma for complex problems.
Do I need a belt to use Kanban?
No. Kanban needs no certification to start.
Can PlanBoards track Lean Six Sigma projects?
Yes – DMAIC columns, checklists and chart images on cards, free to use.
8. Sources and Further Reading
These are the sources behind this guide.
- Wikipedia: Lean Six Sigma
- Wikipedia: DMAIC
- Wikipedia: Six Sigma
- Wikipedia: Kanban
- Wikipedia: Control chart
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