DMAIC Process

D-Define
M-Measure
A-Analyse
I-Improve
C-Control

Define Phase
Define- Define the project goals and customer (internal and external) deliverables.
Define phase
Tools used
Define Customers and Requirements (CTQs)
Project charter
Identify Champion, Process Owner and Team
SIPOC Diagram
Define resources
Stakeholder Analysis
Develop Project Plan and Milestones
CTQ definitions

Format of Project Charter

Format of SIPOC

Format of Stakeholder Analysis

Format of Communication Plan

Measure Phase
Measure -Measure the process to determine current performance; quantify the problem.
Measure Phase

Tools Used

Define Defect, Opportunity, Unit and Metrics

Operational Definition

Identify the CTPs

Using Pareto, Co-relation analysis, CT matrix

Develop data collection plan & formats

Questionnaires, Sampling-plans

Validate the measurement system

Measurement system analysis

Collect the data

Check sheet, Data sheets

Begin developing Y=f(x)

Correlation analysis, Regression analysis

Calculate process capability and sigma baseline

Cp , CPk

Format of Operational Definition

Analyze Phase
Analyze-Analyze and determine the root cause of the defects. Interpret the data to
establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Analyze Phase

Tools used

Identify sources of variation

Histogram, Control chart, Box plot, Whisker

Plot

Determine root cause

Fishbone diagram, ask why 5 times

Root cause prioritization

Risk Priority Number (RPN)

Data validation

T-test, ANOVA, Z-test.

Prepare action plan to explore various

solutions for the causes

Brainstorming, SWOT analysis.

IMPROVE
Implement and verify the solution
In this phase, the team moves on to solution development.
A structured improvement effort can lead to innovative and elegant
solutions.
Identify, Prioritize and implement the improvements for the critical Xs
(inputs) of the Y(output) found during the Analyze phase

Improve Phase

Steps/Tools

Develop potential ideas & solutions

Brainstorming, DOE

Assess failure modes od potential

solutions

FMEA

Reduce risks associated with potential

solutions

Mistake Proofing

Plan & Execute solution on Pilot basis

Verification

Fine-tune the Potential solution

Brainstorming

Implement complete solution

Validation

Check performance levels after

improvement

Cp, Cpk, DPMO

Brainstorming:

DOE (Design Of Experiments)

Design of experiments (DOE) is a systematic method to determine the relationship between factors affecting
a process and the output of that process. In other words, it is used to find cause-and-effect relationships. This
information is needed to manage process inputs in order to optimize the output.

CONTROL
Maintain the Solution

The primary objective of the DMAIC Control phase is to ensure that the gains obtained during Improve are
maintained long after the project has ended. To that end, it is necessary to standardize and document procedures,
make sure all employees are trained and communicate the projects results. In addition, the project team needs
to create a plan for ongoing monitoring of the process and for reacting to any problems that arise.

Control Phase

Steps/Tools

Authenticated calculations of savings

achieved

Determining improvement in process

capability & process sigma

Develop & implement the documentation

plan

Standardized work
(SOPs, WIs, etc.)

Develop & implement the training plan

Competency matrix

Developing & implementing the control

plan

Control Charts

Plan the audit schedules & audit

requirements

PDCA

Transfer of project to process-owner

Competency matrix