How are Lean and Six Sigma Similar

How are Lean and Six Sigma similar?
Lean and Six Sigma are both customer-focused process improvement methodologies. They both follow the traditional quality improvement steps:
1. Identify the project
a. Nominate projects
b. Evaluate projects
c. Select a project
d. Ask: Is it quality improvement?
2. Establish the project
a. Prepare a statement of goals
b. Select a team
c. Verify the statement of goals
3. Diagnose the cause
a. Analyse symptoms
b. Confirm or modify statement of goals
c. Formulate theories
d. Test theories
e. Identify root cause(s)
4. Remedy the cause
a. Evaluate alternatives
b. Design remedies
c. Design controls
d. Design for culture
e. Prove effectiveness
f. Implement
5. Hold the gains
a. Design for effective quality controls
b. Foolproof the remedy
c. Audit the controls
6. Replicate results and nominate new projects
a. Replicate the project results
b. Nominate new projects
Lean Six Sigma combines two approaches which have synergy
Both approaches require a process focus, and both include customer drivers, either to define what needs to be improved (Six Sigma) or to define value (which then drive process improvement). Six Sigma focuses primarily on reducing variation, whilst Lean focuses on improving flow in the value stream and eliminating waste, although both may have similar secondary effects.