Lean Beating Out Six Sigma in Continuous Improvement Arena Mar 15, 2010

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Lean is beating out Six Sigma as the leading force in corporate continuous improvement according to the latest annual study by global executive search firm The Avery Point Group.

The firms said the findings show companies are increasingly relying on Lean as the core foundation for their continuous improvement efforts.

"Trends in industry are often telegraphed into candidate requirements in job postings, and they can serve as a window into the latest corporate initiatives," explained Tim Noble, managing principal of Avery Point Group.

Based on its sixth annual study of Internet job postings, Avery found demand for Lean talent has substantially surpassed demand for Six Sigma as the more desired skill set. This year’s study showed that Lean talent demand exceeded Six Sigma by almost 35%, significantly widening its lead over last year’s lead of just 11%. Avery noted that its 2005 inaugural talent demand study showed Six Sigma talent demand exceeding Lean by more than 50%.

And this year's findings show that that of those companies looking for Lean talent only 41% require candidates to possess Six Sigma knowledge as well – a requirement that's been declining in recent studies.

Of companies seeking Six Sigma talent, almost 55% are now requiring candidates to possess Lean knowledge as well, a requirement that has shown steady growth.

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