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What is Waste?

Waste is any step or action in a process that is not required to complete a process (called “Non Value-Adding”) successfully. When Waste is removed, only the steps that are required (called “Value-Adding”) to deliver a satisfactory product or service to the customer remain in the process.

The idea of process improvement is to identify and remove all forms of waste from a process in order to increase efficiency, reduce cost and provide customer value.

What are the 8 Wastes?

The 8 Wastes - GLSS (GoLeanSixSigma.com)

  1. Defects – Products or services that are out of specification that require resources to correct.
  2. Overproduction – Producing too much of a product before it is ready to be sold.
  3. Waiting – Waiting for the previous step in the process to complete.
  4. Non-Utilized Talent – Employees that are not effectively engaged in the process
  5. Transportation – Transporting items or information that is not required to perform the process from one location to another.
  6. Inventory – Inventory or information that is sitting idle (not being processed).
  7. Motion – People, information or equipment making unnecessary motion due to workspace layout, ergonomic issues or searching for misplaced items.
  8. Extra Processing – Performing any activity that is not necessary to produce a functioning product or service.

To remember the 8 Wastes, you can use the acronym, “DOWNTIME.”

8 Wastes Resources

To get foundational training on how to complete Lean Six Sigma projects using the 8 Wastes, check out our Yellow Belt Training & Certification!

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