The aim of this study is to explore the practical application of Lean with Six Sigma and Agile to create a powerful, synergetic and novel process improvement (PI) method. Going beyond the traditional definitions of Lean, we establish a Factory Physics view of PI which doesn't technically discriminate Lean from non-Lean. We apply a design science approach to help a global bank deploy a continuous process improvement program. By reviewing the literature on PI, we recognize Lean additives viz., Lean Six Sigma and Lean Agile, when synergized, help overcome the limitations of individual PI practices. Our design takes its roots from Factory Physics (FP) and emerges as a novel model synthesizing the theoretical lens of FP with Lean additives for field application. Besides the design of ‘Lean Additives Program’, we deployed the model in several iterations, and studied its performance over a three-year period. The improved system exhibited high levels of efficiency and effectiveness. The longitudinal case evidence demonstrates that Lean additives offer both operational and strategic benefits in firms.

这项研究的目的是探索六西格玛和敏捷精益的实际应用，以创建一种强大，协同和新颖的过程改进（PI）方法。超越传统的精益定义，我们建立了PI的工厂物理视图，从技术上讲，它并不能将精益与非精益区别开来。我们采用设计科学方法来帮助一家全球银行部署持续的流程改进计划。通过回顾有关PI的文献，我们认识到精益添加剂，即Lean Six Sigma和Lean Agile，在协同作用时，有助于克服单个PI实践的局限性。我们的设计源于工厂物理（FP），并作为一种新颖的模型进行了合成，该模型将FP的理论透镜与精益添加剂合成，用于现场应用。除了“精益添加剂计划”的设计之外，我们分几次迭代部署了该模型，并研究了三年期间的性能。改进的系统显示出高水平的效率和有效性。纵向案例证据表明，精益添加剂可为企业带来运营和战略利益。