16.660J | January IAP 2012 | Undergraduate

Introduction to Lean Six Sigma Methods

Course Description

This course covers the fundamental principles, practices and tools of Lean Six Sigma methods that underlay modern organizational productivity approaches applied in aerospace, automotive, health care, and other sectors. It includes lectures, active learning exercises, a plant tour, talks by industry practitioners, and …

This course covers the fundamental principles, practices and tools of Lean Six Sigma methods that underlay modern organizational productivity approaches applied in aerospace, automotive, health care, and other sectors. It includes lectures, active learning exercises, a plant tour, talks by industry practitioners, and videos. One third of the course is devoted to a physical simulation of an aircraft manufacturing enterprise or a clinic to illustrate the power of Lean Six Sigma methods.

The course is offered during the Independent Activities Period (IAP), which is a special 4-week term at MIT that runs from the first week of January until the end of the month.

Learning Resource Types
Lecture Videos
Lecture Notes
Instructor Insights
Students sitting in class raise their hands while holding green notecards.
Students participate in an active-learning exercise by holding up colored cards corresponding to their answer to the professor’s poll. (Image courtesy of Earll Murman.)