An Introduction To DMAIC

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Are you a business analyst or project manager looking to improve processes the six sigma way? Six sigma is a process improvement methodology that has been applied successfully across major companies such as GE and Motorola. The methodology is implemented via 5 phases as outlined below:

DEFINE

This phase involves focusing on customers’ key requirements and identifying what is regarded as the “critical to quality” (CTQ) requirements with a view to defining the goals of the project or process improvement effort. At this point, techniques that help to unveil customer requirements such as Voice of the Customer, are used to define key requirements, identify project milestones, and form the project team. In summary, this phase involves:

  1. Defining the problem to be solved

  2. Drafting a project charter

  3. Plotting a high-level process map

  4. Identifying customer needs

  5. Defining project goals and aligning them with those of the organization

  6. Forming the project team

Examples of techniques that can be employed in this phase include Project Charter, SIPOC, Value Stream Map, Voice of the Customer Translation Matrix, Stakeholder Analysis, etc. 

MEASURE

The measure phase focuses on an initial mapping of the process to be improved, data collection with a view to determining current process performance, weaknesses and strengths. In this phase, there’s a significant focus on identifying the factors (influencing parameters) that significantly influence the critical to quality parameters. In summary, this phase involves:

  1. Understanding and documenting how the relevant process works or performs currently

  2. Defining the magnitude of the problem

  3. Drafting a plan for data collection

  4. Collecting data to define the baseline state

Examples of techniques that can be employed in this phase include data collection plan, check sheet, operational definitions, etc.

ANALYZE

The Analyze phase focuses on analyzing data to identify the vital few parameters that have an effect on process performance or the critical to quality outputs. In summary, this phase involves:

  1. Examining the process

  2. Displaying data graphically

  3. Understanding the cause of process problems in detail and identifying potential solutions for addressing identified root causes

  4. Developing, experimenting and testing theories/causal hypothesis developed for solving process problems

  5. Identifying the critical few parameters that affect the CTQ 

  6. Establishing the prioritized solution approach that results in improved process performance

Examples of techniques that can be employed in this phase include Value Stream Map, Run charts, histograms, Pareto charts, Failure mode and effects analysis, Fishbone diagram, 5 Whys, etc.

IMPROVE

 In summary, this phase involves:

  1. Implementing plans to resolve the root causes of problems discovered

  2. Implementing corresponding solutions

  3. Collecting data to reflect improvements that have been made

Examples of techniques that can be employed in this phase include Weighted Criteria Matrix, To-be process definitions, lean improvements, benchmarking, brainstorming, value stream map, PDCA, Design of Experiments, etc.

CONTROL

The last phase in the Six Sigma methodology involves monitoring the process and measuring the parameters that have an impact on the output. In summary, this phase involves:

  1. Sustaining improvement

  2. Maintaining the gains that have been achieved so far

  3. Developing monitoring plans

It typically involves the use of techniques such as Statistical Process Control, 5S, mistake proofing and control charts.