In today’s competitive business landscape, organizations continuously seek methods to enhance efficiency and reduce cycle times. One of the most powerful strategies within the Lean Six Sigma Improve phase is implementing parallel processing solutions. This approach transforms sequential workflows into concurrent operations, dramatically reducing overall process time while maintaining or improving quality standards.
Understanding Parallel Processing in Process Improvement
Parallel processing refers to the strategic redesign of workflows where multiple tasks or activities occur simultaneously rather than sequentially. Unlike traditional linear processes where Task B waits for Task A to complete, parallel processing allows both tasks to proceed concurrently when no direct dependency exists between them. This fundamental shift in process architecture can yield substantial improvements in throughput, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. You might also enjoy reading about Batch Size Reduction: Why Smaller Batches Lead to Better Performance in Manufacturing and Services.
Within the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology, the Improve phase is where organizations implement solutions identified during the Analyze phase. Parallel processing represents one of the most impactful improvement strategies available to process improvement teams. You might also enjoy reading about Improve Phase: Designing Self Inspection Systems for Quality Excellence.
The Business Case for Parallel Processing
Consider a typical loan approval process at a financial institution. The traditional sequential approach might involve these steps occurring one after another: credit check (2 days), income verification (3 days), property appraisal (5 days), and legal document review (2 days), totaling 12 days of processing time. By implementing parallel processing, credit checks, income verification, and property appraisals can occur simultaneously, reducing the total cycle time to just 7 days (5 days for the longest task plus 2 days for legal review). This 42% reduction in cycle time translates directly into improved customer satisfaction and competitive advantage.
Quantifiable Benefits
Organizations that successfully implement parallel processing solutions typically experience:
- Cycle time reductions ranging from 30% to 70%
- Increased throughput capacity without additional resources
- Improved customer satisfaction scores due to faster service delivery
- Enhanced resource utilization across departments
- Reduced work-in-progress inventory
- Lower operational costs per transaction
Identifying Opportunities for Parallel Processing
The first step in implementing parallel processing solutions involves identifying suitable opportunities within your current processes. Not all sequential tasks can or should be parallelized. The key is understanding task dependencies and relationships.
Dependency Analysis
Process improvement teams must conduct thorough dependency mapping to determine which activities can safely run in parallel. Tasks are classified into three categories:
Independent Tasks: These activities have no direct relationship with each other and can proceed simultaneously without risk. For example, in a product development process, market research and technical feasibility studies can often occur concurrently.
Dependent Tasks: These activities require inputs or outputs from preceding tasks and must remain sequential. Quality inspection, for instance, cannot begin until production is complete.
Partially Dependent Tasks: These activities share some dependencies but can be partially parallelized with careful coordination. Design reviews and prototype development might overlap, with iterative feedback loops enabling concurrent progress.
Real World Example: Manufacturing Order Processing
Let us examine a detailed example from a mid-sized manufacturing company that implemented parallel processing during their Improve phase. The company processed custom equipment orders through a sequential workflow that averaged 18 business days from order receipt to production start.
Original Sequential Process
The baseline process included these sequential steps:
- Order entry and validation: 1 day
- Engineering review and customization: 4 days
- Materials sourcing and quotation: 5 days
- Cost estimation and pricing: 2 days
- Credit approval: 3 days
- Production scheduling: 2 days
- Final approval and documentation: 1 day
Total cycle time: 18 days
Improved Parallel Process
After conducting dependency analysis during the Analyze phase, the improvement team discovered that several activities had artificial sequential constraints. They redesigned the workflow as follows:
Phase 1 (Day 1): Order entry and validation remained the entry point as all subsequent activities depend on accurate order information.
Phase 2 (Days 2 through 5): Three parallel tracks were initiated simultaneously. Engineering review and customization (4 days), materials sourcing and quotation (5 days), and credit approval (3 days) all proceeded concurrently. Each track had the necessary information from Phase 1 to begin work independently.
Phase 3 (Days 6 through 7): Cost estimation and pricing (2 days) began once materials quotations were available.
Phase 4 (Days 8 through 9): Production scheduling (2 days) occurred after engineering specifications and credit approval were confirmed.
Phase 5 (Day 10): Final approval and documentation (1 day) concluded the process.
New total cycle time: 10 days
This implementation achieved a 44% reduction in cycle time, enabling the company to accept rush orders, improve customer satisfaction scores by 28%, and increase order processing capacity by 80% without adding staff.
Implementation Strategies and Best Practices
Technology Enablement
Modern workflow management systems and enterprise resource planning platforms provide the infrastructure necessary for parallel processing. These systems enable real-time information sharing, automated task routing, and progress monitoring across concurrent activities. Cloud-based collaboration tools further enhance the ability of distributed teams to work simultaneously on different aspects of a process.
Communication Protocols
Successful parallel processing requires robust communication mechanisms. Teams working on concurrent tasks must have clearly defined touchpoints for information exchange and issue escalation. Daily stand-up meetings, shared dashboards, and automated status updates help maintain alignment across parallel workflows.
Resource Allocation
Parallel processing often requires cross-training and flexible resource allocation. Organizations must ensure that adequate capacity exists across all parallel tracks to prevent bottlenecks. A balanced scorecard approach helps teams monitor resource utilization and identify constraints before they impact overall cycle time.
Measuring Success and Sustaining Improvements
The Control phase of DMAIC ensures that improvements persist over time. For parallel processing implementations, key performance indicators should include:
- Average cycle time from process initiation to completion
- Percentage of processes completed within target timeframes
- Resource utilization rates across parallel tracks
- Error rates and rework frequency
- Customer satisfaction scores
- Cost per transaction processed
Statistical process control charts help teams monitor these metrics and detect special cause variation that might indicate process degradation. Regular process audits ensure adherence to the new parallel workflow design.
Common Challenges and Mitigation Strategies
Organizations implementing parallel processing solutions frequently encounter several challenges. Resistance to change often emerges when employees are comfortable with existing sequential workflows. Comprehensive change management, including stakeholder engagement and clear communication of benefits, helps overcome this resistance.
Coordination complexity increases when multiple activities proceed simultaneously. Investment in appropriate technology infrastructure and establishment of clear communication protocols mitigate this challenge.
Resource constraints can limit parallelization opportunities. Strategic workforce planning, cross-training initiatives, and judicious use of temporary resources help organizations build the capacity necessary for parallel operations.
Building Capability Through Training
Implementing parallel processing solutions requires deep knowledge of process improvement methodologies, analytical techniques, and change management principles. Lean Six Sigma training provides professionals with the comprehensive toolkit necessary to identify opportunities, design solutions, and implement improvements successfully.
Green Belt and Black Belt certifications equip practitioners with skills in process mapping, dependency analysis, statistical analysis, and project management. These competencies are essential for transforming theoretical parallel processing concepts into practical operational improvements that deliver measurable business results.
Organizations that invest in building internal Lean Six Sigma capability create sustainable competitive advantage. Trained professionals continuously identify and implement improvements, establishing a culture of operational excellence that extends far beyond individual projects.
Take Action on Your Process Improvement Journey
Parallel processing represents a powerful lever for operational improvement, but successful implementation requires expertise, methodology, and disciplined execution. Whether you are an aspiring process improvement professional or an organization seeking to enhance operational efficiency, structured Lean Six Sigma training provides the foundation for success.
Enrol in Lean Six Sigma Training Today and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to drive transformational improvements in your organization. Professional certification programs offer comprehensive coverage of the DMAIC methodology, advanced analytical techniques, and practical implementation strategies. Join thousands of professionals worldwide who have leveraged Lean Six Sigma expertise to advance their careers and deliver exceptional business results. Your journey toward operational excellence begins with the decision to invest in your professional development. Take that step today.
