Lean and digitized innovation

Purpose - This paper presents a method that integrates digitization into the traditional Lean Six Sigma model for innovation processes. The method aims to adding value to the customers, improve effectiveness, eliminate waste, minimizing operating costs, and reducing time-to-market through the redesign of the innovation processes and their automation. Design/methodology/approach - The method described as the 6Ds (Define, Discover, Design, Develop, Digitize, and Deploy) is original and not presented before. Findings - This paper reports a certain number of cases where the approach has been very successful in helping all along the entire innovation processes. Research limitations/implications - The method has been demonstrated effective in a certain number of cases involving product innovation. It seems particularly important to extend its applications also to innovation in processes, organization, and business models. Originality/value - This paper presents an innovative method and a certain number of successful implementation of the Lean and Digitize approach to innovation.