Round 2: LeanSix Sigma vs ISO 9001 featuring ISO 13053:2011

Oct 25

Originally Published 9.25.2013

Exactly two years ago, ISO introduced ISO 13053:2011 entitled "Quantitative Methods in Process Improvement – Lean Six Sigma"
It is about the application of Lean Six Sigma to improve existing processes with 2 parts:
Part 1: DMAIC methodology, describes the five-phased methodology DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control), and recommends best practices, including the Roles, Expertise, and Training of personnel involved in such projects.
Part 2: Tools and Techniques, describes Tools and Techniques, illustrated by fact sheets, to be used at each phase of the DMAIC approach.

Some of you might disagree, but pardon my honest and blunt opinion.

The first time I read about ISO developing a Lean Six Sigma standard, I laughed. Really hard. Why? Because it was like Samsung, planning to sell iPhone-inside-a-Samsung-Box to its customers. It was like re-packaging an already finished good and telling everyone that this is 'the' original. Nothing more like selling pirated DVDs and telling everyone to buy only from me, because it is only I that sells the real deal.

We all know that ISO, its certifying bodies, and consultants are earning a lot by selling standard (print), consulting, and auditing services to companies. ISO, in my opinion, wants to take a piece of the Lean Six Sigma pie, even to the point of monopolizing it since they can now say that they own "the" standard.

They are trying to exploit Lean Six Sigma's weakness of not having a central certifying body. It is indeed ironic, that a discipline that aims to reduce variations does not have a standard way of implementing the initiative and issuing Lean Six Sigma certifications.

Why did ISO think about it in the first place? Was it because ISO's revenues were declining and it wanted to enter a new market? To me, it seems like a desperate move.

So did it sell? Did companies adopt ISO 13053 to roll out Lean Six Sigma? Try to ask around, and you'll get blank stares.