Lean six sigma combines both lean and six sigma methodologies together, in order to eliminate waste and improve upon processes.
Defects: A defect is a product that is declared unfit for use. This requires the product to either be scrapped or reworked, costing the company time and money.
Over-Production: Over-production refers to product that is made in excess or made before it is needed. Products should be produced as they are needed following the Just-in-time manufacturing philosophy in Lean.
Waiting: Waiting involves delays in process steps and is split into two different categories: waiting for material and equipment and idle equipment.
Non-Utilized Talent: Non-Utilized Talent refers to the waste of human potential and skill and is the newest addition to the eight wastes. The main cause of this waste is when management is segregated from employees. When this occurs, employees are not given the opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations to managers in order to improve the process flow and production suffers.
Transportation: Transportation is the unnecessary or excessive movement of materials, product, people, equipment, and tools. Transportation adds no value to the product and can even lead to product damage and defects.
Inventory: Inventory refers to an excess in products and materials that aren't yet processed. This is a problem because the product may become obsolete before the customer requires it, storing the inventory costs the company time and money, and the possibility of damage and defects increases over time.
Motion: Motion is unnecessary movement by people. Excessive motion wastes time and increases the chance of injury.
Extra-Processing: Extra-processing is doing more work than is required or necessary to complete a task.