The American military is considered one of the most focused and efficient groups of people in the history of the planet. It’s an institution known for its tight haircuts, sharp uniform creases, concise communication and precise action.

But, apparently, it wasn’t quite Lean enough.

The U.S. Army has a program called Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS). It’s the Army’s primary source for commercial Information Technology. If a member of the Army needs a specific piece of computer hardware or software, the CHESS program either helps them procure the product, or puts them in touch with someone who could build the product.

The job description can be a little confusing, but at its heart, CHESS is about technology acquisition – at a discount, of course. They have to buy so much hardware and software to keep the Army technologically satiated, that they strive to make purchases at significantly reduced prices.

Increasing Army Efficiency

So what did CHESS, who buys almost exclusively with big discounts, just spend $2.8 million on?

It’s called the Minitab Enterprise License Agreement, and the deal is going to give the Army access to an absolute mountain of Lean Six Sigma software to train people with.

Why spend so much on Lean Six Sigma?

“The goal,” said Dawn Bare, a CHESS product leader, “is for Army organizations to become self-sufficient in Lean Six Sigma techniques, to leverage gains obtained thus far to reduce inefficiencies across the Army and to provide future program successes.”

Other Army Lean Six Sigma Initiatives

It’s not the first time the Army has invested heavily in Lean.

Recently, in February 2017, the Army hosted a Lean Six Sigma training event at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. That was a rehash of a similar successful event that took place in September 2016.

“We’re just building on years of success by local operations researchers and responding to positive feedback from our recent events that trained dozens of individuals across West Point with dozens more on waiting lists for training,” said Col. Doug McInvale, Math Department professor and Master Black Belt.

The Army’s affiliation with Lean Six Sigma philosophy dates back to 2006, and it has saved billions of dollars over the last decade. In 2016 alone, three departments within the U.S. Army were awarded Process Improvement Deployment Excellence Awards:

  • The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller (which saved a total of $66.2 million).
  • The U.S. Army Medical Command (which saved $5.7 million).
  • The 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Europe (which saved nearly $3 million).

With the recent $2.8 million deal with Minitab, CHESS is hoping to further capitalize on the success it has already experienced through Lean Six Sigma and overall process improvement techniques. And if the $70+ million saved in 2016 is any indication, CHESS’s money was probably well spent.