How To Control Your Blood Sugar Using Lean Six Sigma

1. How To Control Your
Blood Sugar Using
Lean Six Sigma
Project Storyboard Example

2. Operational Definitions
• A1C: Measure of the average blood glucose control over the
past 3-4 months. The ideal range is <6%
• Blood Glucose Level: Measure of the amount of sugar in the
blood at the time of testing. Normal pre-meal is 70-130 mg/dl
• Exercise Calories: Measure of the calories expended in a day in
excess of a sedentary day
• Glycemic Index: Ranking of foods based on their immediate
effect on blood glucose levels
• Type II Diabetes: Condition where either the body does not
produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin

3. Project Wins
• Improved daily average blood
sugar from 205 mg/dl to 125
mg/dl.
• There was a 10 lb weight loss,
and a loss of 2” in pants size
• The A1C reading measurement
is a median of the past 120 days.
A confirming A1C test is
scheduled for the end of March.
Baseline A1C was 8.1, the current
is 7.6 and the desired is <6.
Project Results Summary

4. DMAIC Approach
• Reviewed Voice of the Customer (VOC) and various
methodologies on how to best control blood sugar with
Type II Diabetes
• Utilized past A1C measures to establish baseline
• Analyzed data; the AM reading were higher than PM
readings
• Researched best activities for Blood Sugar control and
proposed increase muscle activity
• Maintained results with fitness and training plan

5. Define Phase
• Attempting to control Type II diabetes with
medications and diet has been unsuccessful
• Problem Statement: Blood sugar levels range from
200-220, they should be less than 135
• Goal: Increase physical activity to reduce average
blood sugar levels to 100-135 or an A1C of <6

6. Measure Phase
• Baseline data collected from previous A1C tests,
measurements indicated 2-3 month Blood Sugar
average and 210 was used as the starting baseline
• Data obtained from historical register of a glucose
meter
• Data was filtered by rounding to the nearest multiple
of 5 to create a meaningful baseline data

7. Baseline Data Collection Form

8. Analyze Phase
• The following charts were used to analyze the data and support
described tendencies:
• The histogram indicates the process essentially out of control.
• A scatter plot of the “data by day” displayed no apparent trend
or relationship.
• A scatter plot of the “data by the hour of the day” indicated some
trends.
• A Box and Whisker plot of the data comparing the AM and PM
readings revealed the AM readings were more consistent. The
PM plot indicated there was a potential for a successful
improvement plan.

9. Baseline Data Charts

10. Improve Phase
• What Was Learned?
• AM and PM readings indicated that the amount and type
of activity had a direct effect on the Blood Sugar Level.
• What Was Accomplished?
• Activity would be the best and most measurable option
in improving the process.
• 30-40 minutes of exercise with a heart rate of at least
150 BPM, plus 10- 20 minutes of resistance weight
training.

11. Improvement Data Charts

12. Control Phase
• After the initial 30 days a decrease in the amount of
exercise was attempted to determine if the trend
would be maintained with less effort.
• It was determined that 5 days of exercise per week
was required, allowing for two days of rest to
maintain the blood sugar levels at the desired range.

13. Control Phase Next Steps
• Develop a program that includes medications, diet
and exercise. The inclusion of exercise allows the
body to transfer sugar from the blood to the muscles,
increasing the body’s insulin-sensitivity.
• Maintain the plan and obtain a desired result. The
viability and level of these reductions will not be
known for another 4 months.

14. Get Project Details
For the full project details, visit our website:
https://goleansixsigma.com/how-to-
control-your-blood-sugar-using-lean-six-
sigma/

15. Start Improving Today.
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