The following presentation was given at the Lean Six Sigma World Conference in Orlando on March 16, 2023 by Brion Hurley.

Process improvement specialists have had decades of success helping organizations improve their operations using methods like TQM, Lean, Six Sigma, ISO and more.

In 2015, the United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet..."
There are specific targets for each goal that are meant to be achieved by the year 2030, focusing on topics such as poverty, hunger, healthcare, education, equality, clean air and water, and more. However, the approach being used to address these targets does not leverage these established improvement methods, which may add additional cost or time to achieving these targets. As an example, I go through an example of sustainable consumption and reducing food waste in the video.

How can process improvement practitioners shift our attention from helping for-profit organizations make more profits towards achieving the SDGs targets?

In this video, I discuss ways that you can help your organization transition improvement activities towards sustainability by looking at the impact each facility has on the environment and societal issues in the local community. This can be accomplished through targeted projects, events, training and activities with your Facilities, Environment, Safety and Health (ESH), and Corporate Sustainability teams.

It can also be accomplished through skills-based volunteer work with local nonprofit organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are working on SDGs.

I share some examples of internal sustainability projects and external volunteering projects using Lean and Six Sigma methods, and hopefully inspire you to pursue opportunities to find rewarding and impactful improvements at work or in your free time.

Help your company be more sustainable
- volunteer with nonprofit partners during (paid)
- invite nonprofit partners into improvement events and training
- Conduct projects to reduce environmental or social impacts at work

If you cannot get your company support (unpaid)
- volunteer with nonprofit partners after work
- coach or mentor nonprofits on your free time
- coach or mentor students or co-workers that have time to work directly with the nonprofits

Links shown in the video

UN SDG #12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12

Lean Six Sigma and Wasted Food training classes: https://leansixsigmaenvironment.org/i...

Free Lean Six Sigma for Good book: http://www.brionhurley.com/

Case Study #1 - World Vision:    • Improving Processes in East Africa  

Case Study #2 - Free Geek Laptop Production:    • Lean Portland Jan 2021 Happy Hour - L...  

Case Study #3 - Reducing Electricity in a Large Facility: https://leansixsigmaenvironment.org/i...

Informal survey of 23 NGO's: https://berlinscienceweek.com/discove...


If you'd like to listen to this presentation as a podcast episode, go to https://leansixsigmaenvironment.org/i...

Or visit us at https://www.leansixsigmaforgood.com/ to read more case studies or learn more about the Lean Six Sigma for Good book series