Business improvement

Rio Tinto Aluminium uses a dedicated business improvement programme called Lean Six Sigma to solve operational problems, improve process stability and eliminate waste.

Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma's (or Six Sigma) databased decision making is a fundamental part of the way we do business. Six Sigma encompasses operations and maintenance in the workplace, project work and high level enterprise planning. Six Sigma improvement work focuses on reducing variation within work processes through the collection and analysis of data. Six Sigma uses five process steps for project delivery - Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC). Business improvement initiatives are incorporated into the annual planning process.

Lean Manufacturing

Rio Tinto Aluminium commenced integration of Lean into the business improvement programme in 2004. Lean Manufacturing is one of the favoured techniques used to achieve continuous workplace improvement in manufacturing and processing industries. Lean is based on engaging everyone in the organisation in the elimination of waste in all forms.