How to Create a DMAIC Implementation Plan?

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3 Design your Own Process Map to Serve Your Purposes

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. All of the DMAIC process steps are required and always proceed in the given order.

illustrated by Visual Paradigm Online (Edit Infographics above)

The 5 DMAIC Phases and tool Used

DMAIC is a data-driven quality strategy used to improve processes. It is an integral part of a Six Sigma initiative, but in general can be implemented as a standalone quality improvement procedure or as part of other process improvement initiatives such as lean.

1. Define the problem, improvement activity, opportunity for improvement, the project goals, and customer (internal and external) requirements.

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

Tool Used:

Project Charter
Process Flowchart
SIPOC Diagram
Stakeholder Analysis
DMAIC Work Breakdown Structure
CTQ Definitions
Voice of the Customer Gathering

2. 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 the shortfall

Tool Used:

Process Flowchart
Data Collection Plan/Example
Benchmarking
Measurement System Analysis/Gage R&R
Voice of the Customer Gathering
Process Sigma Calculation

3. Analyze the data collected and process maps to determine the root causes of defects and opportunities for improvement.

Identify gaps between current performance and goal performance
Prioritize opportunities to improve
Identify sources of variation

Tool Used:

Histogram
Pareto Chart
Time Series/Run Chart
Scatter Plot
Regression Analysis
Cause and Effect/Fishbone Diagram
5 Whys
Process Map Review and Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Hypothesis Testing (Continuous and Discrete)
Non-Normal Data Analysis

4. 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

Tool Used:

Brainstorming
Mistake Proofing
Design of Experiments
Pugh Matrix
QFD/House of Quality
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Simulation Software

5. Control the improvements to keep the process on the new course.

Tool Used:

Process Sigma Calculation
Control Charts (Variable and Attribute)
Cost Savings Calculations
Control Plan

How to DIY a DMAIC Plan easily?

Want to document your DMAIC process?

VP Online features a powerful process map designer that makes the definition of process fast and simple. Instead of building a map from scratch, you may start with an existing template and customize it to suit your business needs.