| The term 'DMAIC' stands
for the five main steps in the Six
Sigma process improvement method
namely Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve
and Control.
| Define |
- the customer and their 'Critical
To Quality' issues and expectations
- the business processes that are
involved, the boundaries of the
project
- create a process map
- decide on the metrics 'Big Y',
little y's and the x's
- form a project team and develop
a project charter
|
| Measure |
- the existing process by gathering
data from the process
|
| Analyze |
- the data
- identify the gaps between existing
and desired performance
- identify sources of variation
- decide on the processes that will
be improved
- gather more data ('measure')
if necessary
|
| Improve |
- propose solutions
- carry out pilot studies, design
of experiments etc. to test and
evaluate the proposed solutions
- develop an implementation plan
|
| Control |
- implement systems and procedures
to ensure the improvements are sustained
- develop procedures, control plans,
staff training etc.
|
A Six Sigma project works through each
of these steps in turn, completing each
before moving on to the next.
|
