Lean Six Sigma Implementation for Military Logistics to Improve Readiness

Abstract

In general, during the lifecycle 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 lifecycle 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 lifecycle costs and improved readiness. With aging weapon systems, the US 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. We begin this paper by providing an overview of military logistics and discussing the critical concepts of readiness and cycle-time. Thereafter, we present an overview of Lean Six Sigma methodologies''including Lean production and Six Sigma, and describe the experience in 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.