The Lean Six Sigma methodology provides a good framework for looking at process improvement. Lean is all about eliminiating waste, reducing errors, and streamlining processes, typically without any technology; while Six Sigma can provide a model to identify defects, their root causes, and potential solutions, including automating processes. In that context, Lean is about process improvement without technology, and Six Sigma includes automating processes with technology.

Let’s get primitive. Email is a technology that can positively expedite the hand offs between activities, especially if the “as-is” has people getting up from their desk and walking up a flight of stairs to deliver a purchase order!

Technology is here and should be utilized in whatever form makes sense when developing the “to-be” model. To discard it from the solution would be irresponsible.

Adopting the appropriate process technologies enables companies to start thinking about their processes in new ways – and I am sure some of that thinking will enable business breakthroughs – something that an incremental approach usually lacks. In the meantime they benefit from more efficient approachs to their current processes.