Lean Six Sigma Implementation for Military Logistics to Improve Readiness
Abstract
In general, during the life cycle of a weapon system, a significantly larger amount of money gets spent on operating and maintaining the system than on acquiring it. Hence, efficient logistics systems, including transportation, inventory management, modifications, and maintenance activities, are critically important for containing the life cycle costs of weapon systems and for maintaining the highest level of military readiness given the extant fiscal constraints. This paper describes Lean Six Sigma (LSS), a strategically important and proven logistics initiative for both reduced life cycle costs and improved readiness. With aging weapon systems, the U.S. Department of Defense is facing ever-increasing military expenses to maintain military readiness. Hence, the Department of Defense is keenly interested in implementing Lean Six Sigma in all the services. The authors begin this paper by providing an overview of military logistics and discussing the critical concepts of readiness and cycle-time. Thereafter, they present an overview of Lean Six Sigma methodologies, including Lean production and Six Sigma, and describe the experience of implementing Lean Six Sigma in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The paper ends with a discussion of the managerial guidelines for successfully implementing Lean Six Sigma. The paper includes 54 briefing charts that summarize the presentation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA493547
Entities
People
- Keebom Kang
- Uday M. Apte
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School