Colleen Kindler's articles on GoLeanSixSigma.com

Colleen Kindler

Colleen has worked with clients to customize implementation of Lean Six Sigma and build internal capabilities to ensure measurable improvement. Her approach to problem solving and participative learning using examples drawn from her 20 years of experience makes her an exceptional consultant.

How can I apply the Lean Six Sigma concept in a mining company?

Colleen Kindler

Mining has many applications for Lean Six Sigma! There’s a great return on investment when it’s applied to projects that can increase utilization of expensive equipment and improve work practices of highly skilled people. Here’s some project outcomes: Improving conveyor belt maintenance and use to have belt life greater than 2000 hours Improved maintenance of…

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Lean Six Sigma in Education: Is Standardized Testing Improving Student Performance?

Colleen Kindler

Across America standardized testing has increased since 2002, when No Child Left Behind legislation was enacted. Thinking broadly on our education system, the question can be posed: Is standardized testing making a difference? Graduation – it’s that time of year for speeches to impart wisdom on a new generation of…

How do you convert eliminated Waste into dollar values that show how they affect the bottom line to convey the benefits of Lean Six Sigma to the CFO/CEO?

Colleen Kindler

Full Question: In an IT company, the labor hours saved are not always easy to convert in to dollar values – Finance is not able to see those dollar values unless you convert those hours saved into billable hours. If these hours aren’t converted, then the hours saved by eliminating waste is not a direct bottom…

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In Six Sigma, Y = f(X), what does X stands for?

Colleen Kindler

This formula is especially relevant to determining cause and effect as well as measuring for improvement. It reads Y is a function of X. The Y is the effect of the problem or desired improvement and the X's are the possible causes or areas affecting improvement. For example, Y= total…