Organizational Excellence

Learning Resource Network (Penn State)
Search “Process Improvement” – there are several e-books, audiobooks, and short courses on process improvement, and specific process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

LinkedIn Learning (Penn State)
Search “Process Improvement” – there are online courses addressing the foundations of process improvement, specific methodologies for process improvement (e.g., Kaizen, Sig Sigma), as well as creating a culture of continuous improvement, process improvement methods in project management, and other specific contexts for process improvement.

Articles:
These articles provide helpful overviews of the major process improvement tools and methodologies.

• Overview of process improvement methodologies
• Six Sigma
• Total Quality Management (TQM)
• Lean Manufacturing
• Continuous Improvement (Kaizein)
• Plan Do Check Act (PDCA)
• 5 Whys Analysis
• Business Process Management

• American Society for Quality
  From their website: “ASQ is committed to providing enhanced expertise, professional networks, tools, and solutions to help our members advance their products, services, and industries. We provide professional training, certifications, and knowledge to members globally. ASQ is a global organization with members in more than 130 countries. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we also operate centers in Latin America and South Asia. Our Society consists of member-led communities that help members connect with other quality professionals and practitioners, advance their knowledge and careers, and grow as thought leaders.”
• International Society of Six Sigma Professionals (ISSSP)
  From their website: “We are the leading non-profit organization promoting the high standards and values that Lean Six Sigma operates by.”

LinkedIn Learning (Penn State)
Search on these common process analysis tools to find videos and courses that describe these tools and how to use them.

• “Gap analysis”
• “Root cause analysis”
• “Hoshin Kanri”
• “PDCA Cycle”
• “Force field Analysis”
• “JIT – Just In Time”
• “Lean Six Sigma”
• “SIPOC Diagram”
• “Kanban”

Six Sigma Undergraduate Minor (Penn State)
From the Undergraduate Bulletin: “Six Sigma has been increasingly internalized by companies involved in manufacturing, health care, and service industries. The Six Sigma process has also been used to address environmental concerns such as water quality and energy conservation. Thus, this minor is designed for students who are interested in the Six Sigma statistical methodology for increasing productivity and enhancing quality. The minor will provide students with an understanding of how business models are changing in response to globalization and how the Six Sigma process and product improvement methodology is thus a vehicle for industry prosperity in this climate. Students completing the minor will develop their analytical and statistical skills, and gain a competitive advantage in the work place.”

Lean Six Sigma Certification – Penn State Beaver

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training @ Penn College of Technology
From their website: “The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt 8-day training is a model that leads a Green Belt candidate through the integration of the Lean Enterprise tools and the Six Sigma tools into the DMAIC problem solving framework. The Green Belt will identify a project area to be worked on with the assistance of the Project Selection Workbook. The class activities center on both case study and the Green Belt’s specific project.”