Six Sigma & Lean em Inglês: Vocabulário de Melhoria Contínua

Vocabulário Essencial

Comparativo: como um iniciante diria vs. como um executivo nativo diria

DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control)

The core Six Sigma methodology for process improvement.

❌ Básico

"The steps to improve."

✅ Executivo

"We're in the Analyze phase of our DMAIC project targeting 30% cycle time reduction."

Quando usar: Projetos de melhoria Six Sigma.

Kaizen

Continuous incremental improvement philosophy.

❌ Básico

"We do small improvements every week to the process."

✅ Executivo

"Our weekly kaizen events have generated 15 process improvements this quarter."

Quando usar: Discussões de cultura de melhoria contínua.

Waste / Muda

Activities that consume resources without adding value.

❌ Básico

"Some steps in this process are not necessary."

✅ Executivo

"We identified significant waste in the approval workflow - 3 redundant handoffs."

Quando usar: Análise de processos e value stream.

Sigma Level

Statistical measure of process capability (defects per million opportunities).

❌ Básico

"Our quality level is four point five."

✅ Executivo

"This process operates at 4.5 sigma, which means 1,350 DPMO."

Quando usar: Métricas de qualidade e capability.

Root Cause Analysis

Systematic process for identifying the fundamental cause of problems.

❌ Básico

"We asked 'why' five times to find the main cause."

✅ Executivo

"Our 5-Why analysis revealed the root cause: inconsistent supplier quality."

Quando usar: Investigação de problemas e desvios.

Value Stream Mapping

Visual tool for analyzing the flow of materials and information.

❌ Básico

"Drawing the process."

✅ Executivo

"The value stream map revealed 40% of lead time is non-value-added wait time."

Quando usar: Análise e redesenho de processos.