One of our program's advisors, Sara Beckman, last week published an excellent article in the New York Times about the relationship between Six Sigma and Innovation processes.
Welcoming the New, Improving the Old
By SARA BECKMAN
Published: September 5, 2009
FOR decades, companies from Cisco Systems to Staples to Bank of America have worked to embed the basic techniques of Six Sigma, the business approach that relies on measurement and analysis to make operations as efficient as possible.
More recently, in the last 5 to 10 years, they have been told they must master a new set of skills known as "design thinking." Aiming to help companies innovate, design thinking starts with an intense focus on understanding real problems customers face in their day-to-day lives -- often using techniques derived from ethnographers -- and then entertains a range of possible solutions. More...
Welcoming the New, Improving the Old
By SARA BECKMAN
Published: September 5, 2009
FOR decades, companies from Cisco Systems to Staples to Bank of America have worked to embed the basic techniques of Six Sigma, the business approach that relies on measurement and analysis to make operations as efficient as possible.
More recently, in the last 5 to 10 years, they have been told they must master a new set of skills known as "design thinking." Aiming to help companies innovate, design thinking starts with an intense focus on understanding real problems customers face in their day-to-day lives -- often using techniques derived from ethnographers -- and then entertains a range of possible solutions. More...