DMAIC
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DMAIC or define, measure, analyze, improve and control (pronounced də-MAY-ick) refers to a
data-driven Data ( , ) are a collection of discrete or continuous value (semiotics), values that convey information, describing the quantity, qualitative property, quality, fact, statistics, other basic units of meaning, or simply sequences of symbols t ...
improvement cycle used for optimizing and stabilizing business processes and designs. The DMAIC improvement cycle is the core tool used to drive
Six Sigma Six Sigma (6σ) is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement. It was introduced by American engineer Bill Smith while working at Motorola in 1986. Six Sigma strategies seek to improve manufacturing quality by identifying and removin ...
projects. However, DMAIC is not exclusive to Six Sigma and can be used as the framework for other improvement applications.


Steps

DMAIC is an abbreviation of the five improvement steps it comprises: Define, measure, analyze, improve and control. All of the DMAIC process steps are required and always proceed in the given order.


Define

The purpose of this step is to clearly pronounce the business problem, goal, potential
resource ''Resource'' refers to all the materials available in our environment which are Technology, technologically accessible, Economics, economically feasible and Culture, culturally Sustainability, sustainable and help us to satisfy our needs and want ...
s, project scope, and high-level project timeline. This information is typically captured within the
project charter In project management, a project charter, project definition, or project statement is a statement of the scope, objectives, and participants in a project. It provides a preliminary delineation of roles and responsibilities, outlines the project's ...
document. At this stage, it is written down what is currently known, one seeks to clarify facts, set objectives and form the
project team In a project, a project team or team is defined as "an interdependent collection of individuals who work together towards a common goal and who share responsibility for specific outcomes of their organizations". An additional requirement to the or ...
. The following are to be defined: * A problem * The customer(s), SIPOC *
Voice of the customer In marketing and quality management, the voice of the customer (VOC) summarizes customers' expectations, preferences and aversions. A widely used form of customer's voice market research produces a detailed set of customer wants and needs, organ ...
(VOC) and critical to quality (CTQs) — what are the critical process outputs?


Measure

The purpose of this step is to measure the specification of problem/goal. This is a
data collection Data collection or data gathering is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a research com ...
step, the purpose of which is to establish process performance baselines. The performance metric baseline(s) from the Measure phase will be compared to the performance metric at the conclusion of the project to determine objectively whether significant improvement has been made. The team decides on what should be measured and how to measure it. It is usual for teams to invest a lot of effort into assessing the suitability of the proposed measurement systems. Good data is at the heart of the DMAIC process.


Analyze

The purpose of this step is to identify, validate and select a root cause for elimination. A large number of potential root causes (process inputs, X) of the project problem are identified via root cause analysis (for example, a fishbone diagram). The top three to four potential root causes are selected using multi-voting or other consensus tool for further validation. A data collection plan is created and data are collected to establish the relative contribution of each root causes to the project metric (Y). This process is repeated until "valid" root causes can be identified. Within Six Sigma, often complex analysis tools are used. However, it is acceptable to use basic tools if these are appropriate. Of the "validated" root causes, all or some can be. * List and prioritize potential causes of the problem * Prioritize the root causes (key process inputs) to pursue in the Improve step * Identify how the process inputs (Xs) affect the process outputs (Ys). Data are analyzed to understand the magnitude of contribution of each root cause (X) to the project metric (Y). Statistical tests using p-values accompanied by Histograms, Pareto charts, and line plots are often used to do this. * Detailed process maps can be created to help pin-point where in the process the root causes reside, and what might be contributing to the occurrence.


Improve

The purpose of this step is to identify, test and implement a solution to the problem, either in part or as a whole depending on the situation. Identify creative solutions to eliminate the key root causes in order to fix and prevent process problems. One can use brainstorming or techniques like
six thinking hats ''Six Thinking Hats'' was written by Dr. Edward de Bono. "Six Thinking Hats" and the associated idea of parallel thinking provide a means for groups to plan thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive way, and in doing so to think together mor ...
and random word. Some projects can utilize complex analysis tools like
design of experiments The design of experiments (DOE), also known as experiment design or experimental design, is the design of any task that aims to describe and explain the variation of information under conditions that are hypothesized to reflect the variation. ...
(DOE), but try to focus on obvious solutions if these are apparent. However, the purpose of this step can also be to find solutions without implementing them. * Create * Focus on the simplest and easiest solutions * Test solutions using plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle * Based on PDCA results, attempt to anticipate any avoidable risks associated with the "improvement" using
failure mode and effects analysis Failure is the social concept of not meeting a desirable or intended Goal, objective, and is usually viewed as the opposite of success. The criteria for failure depends on context, and may be relative to a particular observer or belief system ...
(FMEA) * Create a detailed implementation plan * Deploy improvements


Control

The purpose of this step is to embed the changes and ensure sustainability, this is sometimes referred to as making the change 'stick'. Control is the final stage within the DMAIC improvement method. In this step, the following processes are undertaken: amend ways of working, quantify and sign-off benefits, track improvement, officially close the project, and gain approval to release resources. * A
control chart Control charts are graphical plots used in production control to determine whether quality and manufacturing processes are being controlled under stable conditions. (ISO 7870-1) The hourly status is arranged on the graph, and the occurrence of ...
can be useful during the Control stage to assess the stability of the improvements over time by 1. serving as a guide to continue monitoring the process and 2. providing a response plan for each of the measures being monitored in case the process becomes unstable. *
Standard operating procedure A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output, and uniformity of performance, while reducing mis ...
s (SOP's) and Standard work * Process confirmation * Development plans * Transition plans * Control plan * Benefit delivery


Criticisms

One common criticism of DMAIC is that it is ineffective as a communication framework. Many improvement practitioners attempt to use the same DMAIC process, effective in solving the problem, as a framework for communication only to leave the audience confused and frustrated. One proposed solution to this problem is reorganizing the DMAIC information using the Minto Pyramid Principle's SCQA and MECE tools. The result is a framed solution supported by easy-to-follow logic.


Additional steps

Some organizations add a ''Recognize'' step at the beginning, thus yielding an RDMAIC methodology.


Replicate and thank the teams

This is additional to the standard DMAIC steps but it should be considered. Think about replicating the changes in other processes. Share new knowledge within and outside of the organization. It is very important to always provide positive morale support to team members in an effort to maximize the effectiveness of DMAIC. Replicating the improvements, sharing successes and thanking team members helps build buy-in for future DMAIC or improvement initiatives.


See also

* Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) *
Industrial engineering Industrial engineering (IE) is concerned with the design, improvement and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment and energy. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical, an ...
*
Kaizen is a Japanese concept in business studies which asserts that significant positive results may be achieved due the cumulative effect of many, often small (and even trivial), improvements to all aspects of a company's operations. Kaizen is put ...
*
PDCA PDCA or plan–do–check–act (sometimes called plan–do–check–adjust) is an iterative design and management method used in business for the control and continual improvement of processes and products. It is also known as the Shewhart cy ...
(plan, do, check, act) *
Six Sigma Six Sigma (6σ) is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement. It was introduced by American engineer Bill Smith while working at Motorola in 1986. Six Sigma strategies seek to improve manufacturing quality by identifying and removin ...
* BADIR


References

{{Six Sigma Tools, state=collapsed Data management Six Sigma