Types of Waste in Project Management

There are different types of waste in the Six Sigma terminology.One of the primary goals of the Lean Six Sigma project management methodology is the elimination and reduction of waste.

These seven types of waste are:


Overproduction - occurs when a product is made without a buyer

Waiting - occurs when a product sits in waiting for processing

Transport - occurs when a product is moved to many different places

Inventory - occurs when a product is stored and it costs money

Over-processing - occurs when a step in the process is unnecessary or redundant

Motion - occurs when people move excessively

Defects - occurs when an error in the process occurs