Lean Six Sigma training: cost or revenue?

Recently I read about the quality of the Dutch fighter pilots’ capabilities. It is far behind what it should be as said by the highest in rank. Reason is the lack of practical situations to use specific skills and capabilities like one-on-one dogfights or interception of enemy aircrafts. The solution defined by the commander of the Dutch armed forces is more special training for situations to come.

This makes sense for this particular situation. In fact it reveals how to easily get a return on your training investment. And that makes this an interesting metaphor. Because too many times I had to answer the question why the costs for Lean Six Sigma training are so high. This is actually the wrong question. The question however, should be how to effectuate training for my business immediately. And for this question all answers are already given. Most important is that to create a sense of urgency with the leader to realize that training is not a one-time investment. You need a broader plan to maintain the capabilities you develop and you have to create an environment where the capabilities are needed continuously.

Theory and practice

First of all the key element for training is twofold. On the one hand it is about keeping up the current skills or capabilities (consistency) and developing current or new skills and capabilities (grow). On the other hand it is about learning how to actually do things and not (only) the transfer of knowledge. Therefore training needs to be focused on the connection between theory and practice, between learning and executing. Look at top athletes and you’ll see how they apply training in practice and how this pays off for them. How they measure the success of their training efforts? Quite simple, they look at their ranking.

Lean Six Sigma training

How do you measure success for Lean Six Sigma training? What are the ingredients you can easily add to make this training a good investment instead of a high expense? You have to let the trainee work on a real important business topic during the training cycle. Provide a supportive program by organizing coaching on the job and tollgate review meetings during the training cycle. Evaluate during the execution and work together on the results of the project. You will learn that by doing this the training effort will pay off immediately and it will truly develop your people.

Requirements

Let’s get back to the fighter pilots. It’s not up to the pilots what they like or don’t like to practice. It doesn’t help to train them (again) without letting them operate in such specific situations. Therefore the commander of the armed forces needs to have a broader vision on the requirements and which training program fits best to have maximum benefit of it on the short and longer term.

Customized training

Finally, what you need is a training program that is focused on supporting the connection between the Lean Six Sigma theory and the actual problem to solve. A program that provides a customized and supportive training to become successful in the practical world. At R&G Global Consultants we specialize in implementing such programs. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Raoul Mourik (raoul.mourik@rnggc.com) is Senior Business Process Consultant of R&G Global Consultants in The Netherlands.

Our next Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training program starts in april 2017. The program is high paced, action oriented and has an immediate positive impact on your company. More info >