Lean Six Sigma Bursts

Hosted by Brion Hurley

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Episodes

146

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Brion Hurley from Business Performance Improvement shares his takes and thoughts on a variety of topics related to process improvement (specifically Lean and Six Sigma methods), Bursts are rapid improvement activities, so this sounded like a good word to use for these short audio clips. We'll try to keep them under 10 minutes each. Have a question? Use the Spotify app to leave us a voice message, and we might pick your question for our next episode!

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60 recent

October 25, 2026Episode 1458 min

E145: The Importance of Your Class Setup to a Great Learner Experience (Teaching 101 Webinar)

In this episode, I took a segment from my ⁠October webinar within the Lean Six Sigma Ecosystem platform⁠ , and wanted to share it as an episode. I also shared another segment in my last episode around creating classroom interactions (#144) In the webinar, I share some tips and tricks I've developed over my 30 years of teaching courses to adult learners. In this segment, I explain how important it is to make sure your classroom or virtual setup goes smoothly and you don't run into problems. I've learned the hard way and wanted to share these experiences with you. ⁠Click here to access the full webinar⁠ Webinars are accessible to Silver members for only $27/month, which includes access to all of our Premium c Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

October 18, 2026Episode 1448 min

E144: Engaging Your Audience During Class (Teaching 101 Webinar)

In this episode, I took a segment from my October webinar within the Lean Six Sigma Ecosystem platform , and wanted to share it as an episode. In the webinar, I share some tips and tricks I've developed over my 30 years of teaching courses to adult learners. This segment is focused on creating more interactions during class to make your classes more engaging and increase retention of the material. Click here to access the full webinar Webinars are accessible to Silver members for only $27/month, which includes access to all of our Premium c Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

September 21, 2026Episode 1439 min

E143: Why LSS Leads to Better Improvements and Cost Reductions

In this episode, I took a module from the Lean Six Sigma and the Environment course, and cleaned it up with AI to make it easier to listen to (due to background noise). I discuss an overview of Lean and Six Sigma and how companies can make bad decisions when only focused on cost reductions. I also share some examples of how Lean Six Sigma has helped companies To download the 40+ case studies I mentioned, go to https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/c/templates/40-environmental-lean-six-sigma-case-studies The Lean Six Sigma and the Environment course will be available at LeanSixSigmaEcosystem.com in the next month or so. Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

September 13, 2026Episode 1427 min

E142: Lean Six Sigma Challenges with Sustainability

In this episode, I took a module from the Lean Six Sigma and the Environment course, and cleaned it up with AI to make it easier to listen to (due to background noise). Earlier in the course, I discussed how Lean and Six Sigma could help reduce environmental impacts, sometimes without even trying. However, there are reasons why these impacts are overlooked in improvement methods, which I explain in this clip. The course will be available at LeanSixSigmaEcosystem.com in the next month or so. Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

July 24, 2026Episode 14110 min

E141: Hidden Costs of Equipment Downtime

In this episode, I discuss a big opportunity to improve success in your manufacturing facility, reducing equipment downtime. Most people are only focused on the lost labor when equipment isn't running, but what about the lost opportunity to produce valuable products that could be sold to a customer? If you're looking for a good improvement project, collecting data on your downtime and calculating these costs might uncover a potential project you can work on. Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

June 22, 2026Episode 14012 min

E140: Applying Six Sigma's IPO (Inputs Process Outputs) to your Personal Life

In this episode, I discuss an important concept in Six Sigma: Y = f(x) or Y is a function of x. Y is your measured output, and X represents the inputs to your process, and the function represents the process and how the X factors relate or impact the Y. Another way to state it is Inputs (X), Processes (Function) and Outputs (Y) or IPO. I explain how this concept can be used when thinking through your own personal improvement journey. What are your inputs, processes and outputs. If you don't like how one of the outputs is performing (relationships, weight, health, income, etc), then what processes and inputs need to change. Listen to the episode to learn more. If you'd like the graphic I mentioned, send me an email at brion@biz-pi.com Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

May 17, 2026Episode 13914 min

E139: Six Common Types of Process Improvement Projects for Lean Six Sigma Certification

In this episode, I summarize 6 different types of projects you can use for a Lean Six Sigma certification Improve Quality Reduce Speed and Time Reduce Cost and Consumption of Resources Reduce Risk Improve Capacity and Flow Improve Experience and Satisfaction Ratings I also share examples of each across 4 industries: Manufacturing, Office, Government and Healthcare You can also read about these 6 types by going to https://greenbeltcertification.com/2026/05/17/common-types-of-process-improvement-projects-for-lean-and-six-sigma-certification-programs/ I also mentioned that there are a long list of project ideas by industry and department, which can be found at https://www.biz-pi.com/lean-and-six-sigma-project-ideas/ Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

May 4, 2026Episode 1387 min

E138: Using Employee Surveys and Paired t tests for Measuring Improvement

In this episode, I discuss a specific method for capturing process improvements using surveys, and how you can isolate the improvements so that the difference between survey participants doesn't hide the results. I also referenced a similar survey I conducted (Episode 77), where I shared the survey results at a company after implementing a daily huddle. You can check out episode #77 from June 2023 at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e77-client-survey-shows-daily-huddles-improve-communication/id1529478357?i=1000615545292 Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

April 6, 2026Episode 13711 min

E137: Lean Six Sigma Training Simulations and Exercises

In this episode, I share a list of the simulations I use in my training classes to teach Lean and Six Sigma methods and techniques. To see the entire list, go to https://greenbeltcertification.com/lean-six-sigma-training-simulations/ If you'd like to attend the Green Belt with Copilot Part 2 webinar, I had to reschedule to April 13th. I'll go through ANOVA, DOE, Regression and other hypothesis tests using Copilot. You can still register at ⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/c/webinars/green-belt-refresher-using-copilot-part-2⁠⁠ Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization

March 25, 2026Episode 1368 min

E136: Review of DMAIC Roadmap for Improvement Projects

In this episode, I share the kickoff to last week's webinar called "Green Belt Refresher using Copilot - Part 1" where I do a quick refresher of the DMAIC roadmap taught in Green and Black Belt training programs. A good refresher for those who have previously taken a course, or for those new to DMAIC. To listen to the entire webinar, where I show how Copilot compares with Minitab for graphical analysis, summary statistics, SPC and capability analysis, go to ⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/c/webinars/green-belt-refresher-using-copilot-part-1 ⁠ If you'd like to also attend next month's Part 2 webinar, where I'll go through ANOVA, DOE, Regression and other hypothesis tests using Copilot, you can register at ⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/c/webinars/green-belt-refresher-using-copilot-part-2⁠ Learn more about BPI Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.biz-pi.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about me and my consulting firm Visit ⁠https://greenbeltcertification.com⁠ to learn how to get Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt training and certification for you or your organization