| DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) | | | | information that may lead to what is still an unknown |
| is a Six Sigma method used to improve existing | | | | solution. In other words, the solution will often not be |
| business processes. A companion methodology, | | | | found arrived in a single step, but only after an |
| DMADV, is used when new processes are being | | | | incremental series of steps has occurred. |
| designed or implemented. DMAIC is a method or tool | | | | - Measure - A data baseline is established, identifying |
| put in place with an objective of continuous | | | | key aspects of the current process together with |
| improvement in mind, working towards a goal of | | | | relevant data. Measurement parameters are |
| business process excellence. | | | | established so the end result can be meaningfully |
| Background - Both DMAIC and DMADV have a | | | | compared to, or measured against, the initial |
| common ancestor in Deming's Plan-Do-Check-Act | | | | conditions. |
| Cycle, based on Japanese quality improvement | | | | - Analyze - Cause and effect analysis, and statistical |
| methods which Deming studied and helped implement | | | | data analysis are conducted during this phase. One |
| in the years following World War II, and eventually | | | | point of focus will be on determining those |
| introduced to the United States. DMAIC itself is the | | | | parameters which most closely describe cause an |
| creation of Motorola, first introduced in 1981. | | | | effect relationships, and hopefully lead to root causes |
| As a continuous improvement tool, DMAIC combines | | | | where problems exist. |
| the features of two methods, Lean and Six Sigma. | | | | - Improve - In this phase, the factors that are |
| Where steps towards improvement rely on | | | | believed to lead to improving the current process, |
| implementing statistical control, Lean falls short, and | | | | based upon the analysis made, will be subjected to |
| Six Sigma alone cannot always readily implement | | | | further testing. Pilot programs may be instituted in |
| improvement. The combination of the two methods | | | | some instances to further validate those |
| however, as incorporated into DMAIC, results in a | | | | improvements that have been observed to occur. |
| powerful continuous improvement tool. | | | | - Control - In this final phase, before the process is |
| There are 5 phases to the DMAIC method: | | | | repeated, improvements that have occurred will be |
| - Define - An improvement initiative (or a problem | | | | documented, and implementation plans and change |
| requiring resolution) is identified and scoped in this | | | | management plans will be put in place as needed. |
| phase. The nature of the problem or improvement is | | | | Control is essential to ensure any deviations from the |
| described together with any supportive data or | | | | target result are corrected in a timely manner. |