Lean Six Sigma DMAIC is a data-driven quality improvement strategy that aims to solve process problems with unknown causes. It consists of five phases: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. Each phase has specific tools and techniques to help identify and eliminate the root causes of defects, waste, and variation in a process. Here is a brief overview of each phase:
– Define: In this phase, the problem, the project goals, and the customer requirements are clearly defined. A project charter is created to outline the scope, objectives, and benefits of the project. A voice of the customer analysis is conducted to understand the needs and expectations of the customers. A high-level process map is drawn to show the main steps of the process and the boundaries of the project.
– Measure: In this phase, the current performance of the process is measured and quantified. Data is collected to establish a baseline and to identify the key process input and output variables. A detailed process map is created to document the activities, inputs, outputs, and resources of the process. A capability analysis is performed to assess how well the process meets the customer specifications.
– Analyze: In this phase, the data is analyzed to identify the root causes of the problem. Various statistical and graphical tools are used to test hypotheses, find patterns, and isolate the factors that have the most impact on the process output. Some of the tools used in this phase are root cause analysis, failure mode and effects analysis, multi-vari chart, and design of experiments.
– Improve: In this phase, solutions are generated and implemented to address the root causes and improve the process performance. The solutions are prioritized based on their feasibility, effectiveness, and cost. A pilot test is conducted to validate the results and measure the improvement. A cost-benefit analysis is performed to evaluate the return on investment of the project.
– Control: In this phase, the improved process is monitored and controlled to ensure that the gains are sustained and the problem