Which came to our world first? Was it Lean Six Sigma or PMP?

Friends, many colleagues, friends, have asked me this question. Many people have a perception like

the most popular question “WHICH CAME FIRST? AN EGG OR THE CHICKEN?”.


Lean Six Sigma is a methodology which with the help of a project improves a process efficiency by

reducing defect and on the other hand, PMP focuses on project management.

Hence, since both these methodologies focus on project management, it is a curious question asked

by everyone which did come first and which did come next.

Well, I think the history itself is an evidence to answer this question.

Lean and Six Sigma did start off during the 1950’s when the world was attacked with “World War II”.

Dr. Joseph Juran and Dr. Edward Deming started focussing on quality improvement techniques by

training the Japanese and implementing Quality methodologies.

Japan as country was suffering from long established reputation of poor quality. Juran started

training the top and middle management in Japan along with implementing of Quality Improvement

methodologies. Deming implemented Quality control techniques. Deming’s message to senior

management was that improving quality would reduce expenses and increase productivity and

market share.

Japan is a living example even today when we talk about technology and customer focus. Quality

has been the utmost priority and hence they could do that all.

On the other hand PMI first credential was PMP. PMI was launched in 1981. It has become a de

facto standard certification along with Prince2 Certification in project management. They were

earned ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 in 2007 from ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

To an individual to achieve PMI credential, candidates must first document that they have met

required education and experience requirements. They must pass an examination consisting of

multiple choice questions. To maintain most PMI credentials, candidates must earn Professional

Development Units (PDUs), which can be achieved in a variety of ways such as taking classes,

attending PMI global congresses, contributing to professional research or writing and publishing

papers on the subject. These credentials must be renewed every three years.