What Is DMAIC Model?
When studying Six Sigma at any certification level, the most important method you will learn is DMAIC Model. This acronym stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. Furthermore, it helps solve problems where the solution is not always clear. Many time when using Six Sigma, your goal is to improve a business process. This could mean increasing the efficiency, reducing waste, or deterring production defects. But, how exactly do you accomplish these goals? DMAIC is your answer!

DMAIC Model: https://www.6sigma.us/dmaic-step-one-define.php

DMAIC Methodology is a data-driven quality strategy utilized for process improvement through integrating a Six Sigma quality initiative. Define is the initial stage of DMAIC model. It defines the CTQ (critical to quality) issues and the core business process involved. In detail, it explains the customer requirements, expectations of the customer, project boundaries, stop and start the process, a process flow of the process.

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How DMAIC Model perform as an approach to problem-solving?

DMAIC is a roadmap used as the problem-solving method for process or quality improvement.

DMAIC method differs from conventional problem solving since it belongs below steps during problem-solving:

— Define

Define customer expectations
Define impacted business processes
Define project boundaries
Define metrics
Define Team members, Project Leader
Defines the problem, opportunities, goals and customer requirements. It focuses on selecting high-impact project through focusing on CTQ (Critical to Quality) The deliverable of the define phase will be the project charter that includes the project objective, goal, team members, cost benefit.

— Measure

Data collection
Measure process
Measures the process performance and documents the current process and validates the baseline performance. Measurement system analysis in the measure phase depends upon the type of data been collected. For instance; for variable data – Gage R& R, Attribute data – Attribute agreement analysis tools are preferred. SIPOC, Process mapping, top down charting can be commonly used for both types of data to explain the process flow.

— Analyze

Analyze gathered Data
Identify gap between existing and goal performance
Analyze the cause for the gap
Decide on the processes to be improved
Determines root causes of variation and isolates the top causes behind the CTQ. In most cases, the root cause may exceed more than three. A tool such as Pareto Chart helps to prioritize the top causes. Most commonly used tools to identify the root causes are 5- Why, Fish-bone diagram. Tools to validate the cause are Scatter Diagram, Regression Analysis, and Hypothesis Testing.

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— Improve

Identify potential solutions
Pilot Study
Test
Evaluate proposed solutions
Develop implementation plan
Fully understands the root causes and eliminates the top causes. Tools used to prioritize the solution are Affinity Diagram, Solution prioritization matrix. Tools to validate the solutions are Hypothesis Testing, Regression analysis

— Control

Implement process
Develop Standing Procedure
Develop Control Plans
Train staff on new process
Improves process and monitors future process performance. This phase involves error-proof the process and creates a checklist to sustain the changes made in the improve phase. Tools used in this phase include Standard Operating Procedure, Automation, and Checklist.

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Source: 6sigma.us