REVISTA DIRECCIÓN DE PROYECTOS PMI PANAMÁ JULIO 2017 | Page 25

This article presents the findings of a Lean Six Sigma implementation in a software start-up. It is, hopefully, a proof that Agile can benefit from Lean Six Sigma and wisely combined can produce excellent results. However, neither Agile nor Lean Six Sigma are silver bullets.

One of the major misconceptions about Lean Six sigma is that is a very sophisticated mathematical framework that requires comprehensive documentation and needs comprehensive training and specialized tools.

In Figure 2 is presented the Project Charter for a Lean Six Sigma Project implemented in a software start-up.

The problem that the project aimed to resolve was a high rate of clients that cancelled their subscription to the product in less than 3 months. The Business Case is clearly described in a single paragraph. As is the Problem Statement. The whole Project Charter is contained in a single PowerPoint slide. The project followed a standard DMAIC approach. Defined the concepts and metrics, used (backlog item type, size, priority, severity). Measured the process, after a clean-up period represented by the January spike (Fig. 3), Analyzed the data, Improved the process and finally implemented Controls to sustain the Improvement.

The end result is presented in Figure 3 showing a significant reduction of process variation, stabilization of defect identification trend and last but not least with a higher rate of defects resolved than defects found.

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Dan Roman

PMP, PMI-ACP, ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt