What term describes overproduction, defects, inventory, and movement in Lean Six Sigma?

The term that encompasses overproduction, defects, inventory, and movement in Lean Six Sigma is waste. In the context of Lean methodologies, waste refers to any activity or process that does not add value to the final product or service from the customer's perspective. Identifying and eliminating waste is a critical goal in Lean Six Sigma as it leads to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved quality.

Overproduction, defects, excessive inventory, and unnecessary movement are all forms of waste. Overproduction means producing more than what is needed, leading to excess inventory and potential obsolescence. Defects represent failures that require rework or result in unsatisfied customers. Excess inventory ties up resources and can hide production issues, while unnecessary movement can lead to inefficiencies and longer cycle times.

Understanding waste and how to minimize it is fundamental for achieving operational excellence and ensuring that resources are used effectively in any organization.