16.8 Discussion and Practice

Use your favorite search engine and type in “Gartner Hype Cycle.” Now, go to Google Trends and enter a few technologies identified on the Gartner Hype Cycle to see the rise and fall in the popularity of these technologies. Is there any among them that you recall hearing a lot about but then Google Trends indicates that its publicity and level of general interest suffered a rapid decline? Why do you think that is the case for the technology specifically? Is there any Lean Six Sigma principle behind the meteoric rise and precipitous fall of the technology’s popularity?

Based on your search above, can you identify similarities and differences with Moore’s Law? Why do you think that is the case? Is Moore’s Law simply the first part of the Gartner Hype Cycle, extrapolated indefinitely? Why or why not?

Related to Moore’s Law, take a look at how transistors have shrunken in size over the last twenty years. Are you surprised by what you have found? More importantly, one of the most significant determinants of applicability of smaller transistors is “yield.” How does “yield” relate to Lean Six Sigma? And, in turn, how does Lean Six Sigma affect the materialization of Moore’s Law?

Some researchers have proposed that increased sustainability standards can result in greater risk. Does this statement seem paradoxical? In what ways can sustainability reduce waste? In what ways can sustainability increase risk? Is there a way to balance waste and risk when it comes to sustainability?

Take a look through your favorite news source. What are some major sources of risks out there that will ultimately influence supply chain performance and Lean Six Sigma outcomes? How can you move from “just in time” to “just in case” without committing substantial working capital in inventory?