Measuring the efficiency of a Lean Six Sigma program in a US government agency using Data Envelopment Analysis

In this paper, the author proposes the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a nonparametric method of measuring the efficiency of a decision-making unit (DMU) such as a project or program, to evaluate the efficiency of the Lean Six Sigma program at the National Aeronautical Space Agency's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. Identified critical success factors will be examined as to their relevant importance in generating an increasing level of outputs. Results derived from this study will be utilized to evaluate the performance of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) program at JSC and consider areas for improvement.