What Is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is a comprehensive and flexible methodology used to achieve and maximise business success. Through process mapping and analysis, it aims to remove waste, facilitate standardisation and embed data-driven decision-making at the heart of every business.
Process
The Lean Six Sigma approach comprises 5 separate stages
Define
Measure
Analyse
Improve
Control
Process Activity and Waste
Processes and their constituent parts can be classified in three different ways:
Value Add
Essential Non-Value Add
Non-Value Add (Waste)
What Is Professional Services Automation?
When it comes to technology solutions for service businesses, there are some beautiful workhorse solutions out there.
Professional Services Automation sits in the sweet spot between standalone CRM platforms and fully fledged ERP behemoths.
Customer Relationship Manager
✓ Contacts database + salespipeline
✓ Camapign marketing and service desk
✓ Built for startups and freelances
Professional Services Automation
✓ Suite of tools for end-to-end business process management, usually with pay-per-feature
✓ Comprises CRM plus project management through to invoicing and reporting, with integrated time logging at all touchpoint
✓ Built for service professionals and their businesses, especially the SME market
Enterprise Resource Planning
✓ Similar to PSA modular end-to-end approach but geared towards large business with highly complex product and inventory management needs
✓ Substantial ecosystem integrates beyond PSA remit, including HR, knowledge base, payroll etc
✓ Resource and maintenance (cumbersome and expensive where PSA may be a better fit)