Master the DMAIC methodology with ease


Posted October 8, 2018 by LarryTaggart

The Six Sigma concept is fairly simple – a problematic business process is identified, the root causes of the process are found out, the solution is implemented and a control mechanism is devised to ensure optimum performance.
 
The Six Sigma concept is fairly simple – a problematic business process is identified, the root causes of the process are found out, the solution is implemented and a control mechanism is devised to ensure optimum performance. If you had to further shorten the concept, Six Sigma is all about the DMAIC methodology. Learning Six Sigma is not difficult because you get to learn from some of the masters of this concept.

DMAIC is considered the core concept of Six Sigma because all the Six Sigma projects run on this concept. It doesn’t matter whether the problem at hand is simple or complex, the project team always attacks it from the same angle. The changes occur when the team deep dives into the problem and the solutions are planned when the exact issues are found out.

So, what is DMAIC? Acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control, it is a series of interconnected and incremental process improvement plan. It is highly data-driven and often strategic in nature. The five phases in this concept are played out one after the other, each taking a lead from the previous phase.

DMAIC starts with the definition of the Critical to Quality issues of the business process that needs to be improved. Here the customers are defined, the project boundaries (start and stop) are identified and the overall improvement scope of the project is charted out.

In the 'Measure' phase, the performance of the business process is measured through planned data collection. Data is collected from multiple sources so that the defects and the metrics can be measured. The shortfall measure is also calculated during this phase and this may be done using something as basic as a customer survey.

In the 'Analyze' phase, root cause analysis is done on the collected data collected and a process map. This phase also helps identify the gaps between current and optimum performance. The sources of variation are further identified and the opportunities for improvement are put on paper.

To improve the targeted business process, solutions are designed to prevent the issues hampering the process. The solutions are usually arrived at through brainstorming sessions with the project team. The team also develops the plan for deployment of the proposed solution.

To ensure that the process doesn't revert to the old way, a control mechanism is developed. It is properly documented and the process is monitored so that there are no slips. The control mechanism is institutionalized by training the people who handle the process.

All this, in short together form the DMAIC methodology. As you gain more experience in the domain of Six Sigma, you further master this methodology. And as you go up higher in the Six Sigma hierarchy, you get to mentor others so that they can implement DMAIC properly.

You can learn about the Six Sigma concept easily. All you need is someone experienced to guide and mentor you. Choose to get trained in one of the seasoned training institutes and you will soon eat, drink and sleep Six Sigma.

As you learn the Six Sigma concept ( https://www.6sigma.us/six-sigma.php ) , you will also learn the DMAIC methodology ( https://www.6sigma.us/dmaic-step-one-define.php ) by attending an event near you.
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Issued By Larry Taggart
Country United States
Categories Business
Tags dmaic methodology , six sigma concept
Last Updated October 8, 2018