- Free Version: Available for teams of up to 10
- Pricing: Premium plan $24/seat/month (with free 30-day trial period)
- Platforms supported: Available on mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
Why use SafetyCulture?
SafetyCulture is a digital tool that will help your business streamline workflows, standardize processes, and solve logistics problems by doing away with paper inspection records and saving your data in the cloud. Unlike other six sigma tools, the SafetyCulture Lean Six Sigma software makes it easy to use and understand the Lean Six Sigma method. This app is best for teams across industries and business sizes.
Features:
- Export, visualize, and compare relevant Lean Six Sigma data using the SafetyCulture Exporter and powerful integrations such as Tableau and PowerBI to access all project management data, worker information, and your overall quality management insights in one place
- Capture issues and monitor flagged items in real-time by letting your quality managers and employees use the free Lean Six Sigma app on their mobile devices
- Use the app’s Drawing Field feature to allow for better a visual representation of how employees shall do their job more effectively, thus reducing process variation and improving quality control
- Turn data captured from inspections into actionable insights for risk assessments, continuous improvement, and quality assurance
- Provide Training sessions on Lean Six Sigma practices and ideologies
Why use TRACtion?
As a Lean Six Sigma project management software, TRACtion is a cloud-based solution that aims to help organizations drive process improvement activities, seamless workflow management, and just-in-time support to project teams. This app is best used for complex project management.
Features:
- Seamless project organization and execution
- Multiple charts and graphs for real-time data presentation
- Powerful, flexible reporting
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: A one-time installation fee of $7,500 for a minimum of 10 users, subject to a separate annual usage fee
- Platforms supported: Web
Why use Tallyfy?
Mainly used as a workflow and process management tool, Tallyfy also functions as a Lean Six Sigma software, allowing project teams to capture and automate every process in the organization without going through complex means and tedious steps. This app is best for organizations with internal and external teams.
Features:
- Workflow, approvals, and handovers automation
- Real-time process status tracking
- API-first, CRM, and Identity integrations
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Starts at $5/member/month for a minimum of 10 members billed annually (with a 14-day free trial period)
- Platforms supported: Web
Why use The Lean Way?
The Lean Way empowers organizations to continuously improve their processes and work quality by applying Lean Six Sigma principles and harnessing the power of the organization’s improvement potential using an innovative software solution.
Features:
- Widgets for custom and data-driven charts and figures
- Knowledge wall
- Custom boards for private and public workspaces
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Starts at $20/user/month for 25 users billed annually (with a 14-day free trial period))
- Platforms supported: Web and mobile devices
Why use KaiNexus?
KaiNexus powers Lean Six Sigma through its three-point goal: Unify, Scale, and Support. Using this Lean Six Sigma software’s comprehensive features, organizations across industries are able to start, spread, and sustain their improvement cultures. This app is best used to manage an organization’s continuous improvement efforts.
Features:
- Customizable submission forms
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Streamlined project management and improvement
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Details available upon request
- Platforms supported: Web, iOS, and Android
Why use iGrafx?
Providing comprehensive business transformation solutions, iGrafx enables organizations to use a unique solution for process improvement and waste elimination, among others. This is to help them better serve their customers, enhance productivity, and improve their business bottom line.
Features:
- Process analysis and simulation
- Risk mining
- Value stream mapping
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Custom pricing details available upon request (with a A 30-day free trial period)
- Platforms supported: Web
Why use Minitab Engage?
Minitab Engage provides organizations with customizable tools for the efficient execution of their Lean Six Sigma projects. This Lean Six Sigma software enables teams to easily start, track, manage, and share innovation and improvement efforts across the board.
Features:
- ROI measuring
- Project roadmaps
- Forms, mapping tools, and analysis capture tools
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Details available upon request (with a 30-day free trial period)
- Platforms supported: Web
Why use JMP?
Mainly used for data analysis, JMP’s smart, easy-to-use interface provides a full spectrum of industry-standard capabilities in performing Lean Six Sigma methodologies for data-driven process and product improvement programs. This app is best for healthcare and chemical industries.
Features:
- Interactive process control and capability analysis
- Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts
- Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Starts at $125/month (with a 30-day free trial)
- Platforms supported: Web
Why use SoftExpert?
Offering solutions for compliance management, SoftExpert software helps companies apply and adhere to the Lean Six Sigma methodology toward lowered compliance costs, maximized efficiency, and reduced risks. This app is best used for business compliance management.
Features:
- Supplier quality control
- Defect tracking
- ISO standards management
- Free Version: Not available
- Pricing: Starts at $200/user/month
- Platforms supported: Web, iOS, and Android
What is a Lean Six Sigma Software?
A Lean Six Sigma software, in simple terms, is any software that helps you perform Lean Six Sigma regularly. The expected outcomes of using Lean Six Sigma software are increased efficiency, standardized operations, and higher productivity. It can be used by any business looking to improve its processes.
Importance
Maximizing the smart features and functionalities of a Lean Six Sigma software helps improve productivity and achieve maximum efficiency across the board. Additionally, Lean Six Sigma software solutions allow organizations to enjoy the following benefits:
Create Custom Lean Six Sigma Templates
While some Lean Six Sigma software solutions have several pre-made Lean Six Sigma templates, you also have the option of creating your own custom Lean Six Sigma template within the software’s template editor. You can also add a variety of response types to your templates, including multiple-choice items, logic fields, files, photos, text answers, numbers, and more.
Find Sources of Waste and Variation Easily
A Lean Six Sigma software makes it easy for you to spot trends and patterns so that you can fix inefficiencies in a snap. View commonly failed items across facilities, departments, and processes. Delve deep into why a problem occurred in the first place by conferring with your teammates.
Act on Analytics for Maximum Efficiency
This kind of software has the functionality to combine data and actions into one powerful analytics dashboard. You can set scoring systems in your templates to see their averages in the form of percentages and graphs.
Applying Lean Six Sigma Using Software
Though many in the manufacturing industry are already familiar with the Lean Six Sigma method, for those at a loss as to how to apply it in their business operations, here are a few steps to help you get started:
Step1: Collect Consistent Data
While gathering and organizing data can be time-consuming, it’s still an essential step since the backbone of Lean Six Sigma is ultimately data. If you already have solid documentation of your business processes and they’re on paper, you can use these valuable sources of information by converting them into digital files. If you do not have any valid records of your systems, then you can start by conducting an audit.
Step 2: Pinpoint Problem Areas
Now that you have all your data in one place, you can begin identifying areas or phases within the process where problems frequently occur. However, note that this step’s strength relies on the robustness of your issue-raising platform. If employees don’t flag day-to-day issues, then neither you nor their manager can see or notice that a problem needs to be solved.
Step 3: Embrace Teamwork
When forming your cross-functional team for Lean Six Sigma, you need to ensure that there’s a knowledgeable representative from each department. This person must be adept at the previous and current processes that the department is using and have good communication and coordination skills.
How to Pick the Best Lean Six Sigma Software
To help you choose, top Lean Six Sigma software programs must have these features:
- Smart Templates – Create unlimited smart templates and convert your existing paper forms to digital templates.
- Inspections – Complete inspections from anywhere at any time with a Lean Six Sigma software program.
- Fast Reporting – Detailed inspection reports help problems get solved quicker.
- Insights & Analytics – Turn your Lean Six Sigma data into actionable insights.
- Integrations – Connect your other to business software systems such as Tableau, Sharepoint and more.
For a quick overview of which Lean Six Sigma software is best suited for your needs, here’s a roundup of our best apps:
- Best Overall: SafetyCulture
- Best for Complex Project Management: TRACtion
- Best for Organizations with Internal and External Teams: Tallyfy
- Best for Enterprises: The Lean Way
- Best for Managing Continuous Improvement Efforts: KaiNexus
- Best for Manufacturing and Service Companies: iGrafx
- Best for All Industries: Minitab Engage
- Best for Healthcare and Chemical Industries: JMP
- Best for Business Compliance Management: SoftExpert
Use this table for a comparison of free version availability, pricing of paid plans, and mobile app capability:
| Lean Six Sigma Software | Free Version | Paid Plan | Mobile App |
| SafetyCulture | Yes | $24/seat/month* | Yes |
| TRACtion | None | $7,500** | None |
| Tallyfy | None | $5/member/month*** | None |
| The Lean Way | None | $20/user/month**** | Yes |
| KaiNexus | None | Details upon request | Yes |
| iGrafx | None | Details upon request | None |
| Minitab Engage | None | Details upon request | None |
| JMP | None | $125/month | None |
| SoftExpert | None | $200/user/month | Yes |
* billed annually
** one-time installation fee for a minimum of 10 users, with a separate annual usage fee
*** for a minimum of 10 members billed annually
**** for 25 users billed annually
To better support your Lean Six Sigma efforts, utilize other related apps to enhance your organization’s overall productivity:
- Kaizen App to help ensure continuous improvement every day in the workplace
- Project Management Software to assign tasks, schedule activities, track progress, and monitor resources
- Workflow Software to manage documents and processes
Patricia Guevara