DMAIC is a part of Lean six-sigma methodology and an acronym for five iterative methods described as phases Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control.
DMAIC is used by organizations to improve their existing process. Due to its Iterative structural methodology DMAIC provides set of tasks and tools at each phase that helps and guide to the solution-based results.
DMAIC Details:
Define – Define what is important:
- for the clients, the financial results and the employees
Steps:
- Identify projects that are measurable
- Validate project statement
- Gather voice of the customer & business
- Define projects including customer and the content of the internal process.
- Develop team charter
- Launch team
- Develop project schedule
- Define process map
- Complete define phase
Measure – Measure how to get the results:
- to better define the improvement objectives
Steps:
- Identify Key Input, Process and Output Metrics
- Define performance standards
- Develop Data Collection Plan
- Validate Measurement System
- Collect Baseline Data
- Measure current level of quality into Sigma.
- Determine Process Performance/Capability
- Pinpoint the area causing problems.
- Identify all potential causes for such problems.
- Complete Measure phase
Analyze – Analyze the problems:
- Identify the original causes
Steps:
- Identify Potential Root Causes
- Establish process capability
- Define performance objectives
- Identify variation sources
- Confirm Root Cause to Output Relationship
- Estimate Impact of Root Causes on Key Outputs
- Prioritize Root Causes
- Complete Analyze Phase
Improve – Improve by resolving the problems:
- Prevent or identify the original causes
Steps:
- Screen potential causes
- Develop Potential Solutions
- Develop Evaluation Criteria
- Select Possible Solutions
- Pursue a method to resolve and ultimately eliminate problems.
- Discover relationships among causes and effects
- Establish operating tolerances
- Develop Full Scale Implementation Plan
- Change, Fix and Modify the process
- Carryout a trial run for a planned period of time
- Complete Improve Phase
Control – Supervise to guarantee performance.
Steps:
- Monitor the improved process continuously
- Implement Mistake Proofing (Poka Yoke)
- Develop SOP’s, Training Plan and Process Controls
- Identify Project Replication Opportunities or horizontal deployment for similar process
- Share the lessons learnt
- Document the results and accomplishments
- Complete Control Phase
What is DMAIC and DMADV?
DMAIC - Continued improvement on existing processes.
DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify) – New product or processes
