Thursday, February 08, 2007

DMAIC

Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control. Incremental process improvement using Six Sigma methodology. See DMAIC Methodology

Pronounced (Duh-May-Ick).

DMAIC refers to a data-driven quality strategy for improving processes, and is an integral part of the company's Six Sigma Quality Initiative. DMAIC is an acronym for five interconnected phases: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Each step in the cyclical DMAIC Process is required to ensure the best possible results. The process steps:

Define the Customer, their Critical to Quality (CTQ) issues, and the Core Business Process involved.
  • Define who customers are, what their requirements are for products and services, and what their expectations are
  • Define project boundaries ­ the stop and start of the process
  • Define the process to be improved by mapping the process flow

    Measure the performance of the Core Business Process involved.
  • Develop a data collection plan for the process
  • Collect data from many sources to determine types of defects and metrics
  • Compare to customer survey results to determine shortfall

    Analyze the data collected and process map to determine root causes of defects and opportunities for improvement.
  • Identify gaps between current performance and goal performance
  • Prioritize opportunities to improve
  • Identify sources of variation

    Improve the target process by designing creative solutions to fix and prevent problems.
  • Create innovate solutions using technology and discipline
  • Develop and deploy implementation plan

    Control the improvements to keep the process on the new course.
  • Prevent reverting back to the "old way"
  • Require the development, documentation and implementation of an ongoing monitoring plan
  • Institutionalize the improvements through the modification of systems and structures (staffing, training, incentives)
    From GE's DMAIC Approach, http://www.ge.com/capital/vendor/dmaic.htm

    • posted by Cobb @ 6:39 AM