Technological Aids For Lean Six Sigma Process Improvements

Companies like Safeco, who have been rankedmoving paper across the company. Digitization
among the largest insurance service providers,makes it possible for processes to effortlessly
took nearly a week for making changes in automove paper at geographically long distances. This
policies they issued. However, thanks to Sixmakes it easier for employees of various
Sigma, they now have an online, service-and-salesgeographically dispersed offices to take part in the
portal where local agents can make real-timesame workflow.
changes and cut down on all the business4. Automated Workflow Systems
processes.There are times when business processes
Process Cycle Efficiencyundergo excessive physical movement of paper
As stated by Michael L. George, author Lean Sixfrom one desk to the other. Automated
Sigma, the lean techniques concentrate onworkflow systems avoid keeping work items
process cycle efficiency, or PCE, to determine thestagnant, they raise alerts whenever work items
speed of the process executionhave been put on hold for a prolonged time or
PCE = Value-Added Time / Total Elapsed Timereroute them if someone is busy. These systems
Lean process generates a process cycleare efficient in detecting the tailbacks in a system.
efficiency (PCE) of about 25% or more. Not5. Document Management Systems
many businesses are lean enough. It is said thatDocument management systems enable
nearly 20% of activities give about 80% of theirorganizations to perform business processes all
waste in this process. Lean generally concentratesover the world. Document management systems
on increasing process velocity, as it facilitatesenable verification of documents for editing,
getting rid of non-value-added activities from therechecking before completion.
process. These methods, just like stream6. Business Process Management Systems
mapping, also give a methodical way of identifyingBusiness process management systems (BPMS)
and eliminating waste.allow integration and streamlining of various
There are technologies that have prospered aftersoftware systems that are a part of any
implementing the Lean Improvement method.business process. With the help of an outline for
1. Wireless Connectivitythe business process, these systems facilitate
Many casualty insurance and property companiesefficiency in business processes in various
have evened out wireless connectivity for claimingfunctions backend software systems, and
adjusters who are caught up in a catastrophicdepartments.
event like an earthquake or tsunami. A wireless7. Online CRM System Systems
connection can help adjusters who remotely enterCustomer relationship management (CRM)
the information into the claims software system,systems are a part of websites of various
reducing the time necessary in the businessorganizations. Customers can login and create a
process.trouble ticket online for a support or service
2. The World Wide Webrequest rather than consulting the customer
Web portals have facilitated organizations businesssupport representatives.
processes, from order entry to customer serviceThe basic goal of Lean process improvement is
to logistics that have to be performed by theirto improve PCE and increase process velocity.
employees irrespective of the time and place.Many new information technologies have the
3. Digital Documentationpotential of enhancing efficacy and velocity. This is
Scanning and digitization allow circulation of digitalusually done by reducing waste, averting
versions of documents instead of wasting time ontransportation and manual data entry.