Effective Meetings

In Lean Six Sigma (LSS), effective meetings are critical because they drive collaboration, maintain project momentum, and ensure that DMAIC activities stay aligned with goals. Poorly run meetings waste time and erode engagement, while structured, purposeful meetings accelerate improvement projects.

🧩 Principles of Effective Meetings in LSS

  • Purpose-driven: Every meeting must have a clear objective tied to the DMAIC phase (e.g., Define charter approval, Measure data review).

  • Agenda discipline: Share an agenda in advance and stick to it—avoid scope creep or side discussions.

  • Time management: Start and end on time; respect participants’ schedules.

  • Right participants: Invite only those who add value (Champion, Black Belt/Green Belt, process owners, SMEs). Avoid “seat warmers”.

  • Engagement: Ensure all voices are heard; encourage questions and contributions.

  • Documentation: Capture decisions, action items, and next steps for accountability.

📊 Lean Six Sigma Contributions

  • Lean principles: Reduce waste in meetings (eliminate unnecessary attendees, redundant updates, or unclear objectives).

  • Six Sigma discipline: Use structured tools (SIPOC, Pareto charts, CTQ trees) during meetings to keep discussions fact-based.

  • 5Ps Framework (from iSixSigma):

    1. Purpose – Why the meeting is happening

    2. Product – What outcome is expected

    3. Participants – Who needs to be there

    4. Process – How the meeting will be run

    5. Preparation – What must be done beforehand

⚡ Best Practices for LSS Project Meetings

  • Kickoff meetings: Align on charter, roles, and expectations.

  • Phase-gate reviews: At the end of each DMAIC phase, validate deliverables before moving forward.

  • Stand-up meetings: Short, frequent check-ins to maintain momentum.

  • Virtual readiness: Have backup plans for video/tech failures.

  • Visual aids: Use dashboards, charts, and templates to keep discussions data-driven.

🔑 Takeaway

Effective meetings in LSS are structured, purposeful, and lean. They eliminate wasted time, keep teams aligned with project goals, and ensure decisions are based on data. By applying frameworks like the 5Ps and Lean principles, practitioners can transform meetings from routine gatherings into powerful engines of improvement.