DMAIC
Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a set of practices originally developed by
Motorola to systematically improve processes by eliminating
defects. Processes that operate with Six Sigma quality will have
defect levels below 3.4 DPMO (defects per million
opportunities). Six Sigma's goal is to improve all processes to
that level of quality or better.
DMAIC vs. DMADV
Six Sigma has two key methodologies: DMAIC and DMADV.
DMAIC is used to improve an existing business process. DMADV is
used to create new product or process designs for predictable,
defect-free performance.
DMAIC Steps
DMAIC basic methodology consists of the following five steps:
- Define the process improvement goals that are
consistent with customer demands and enterprise strategy.
- Measure the current process and collect relevant
data for future comparison.
- Analyze to determine what the relationship is,
and attempt to ensure all factors have been considered.
- Improve or optimize the process based upon the
analysis.
- Control to ensure that any variances are
corrected before they result in defects by continuously
measuring the process with control mechanisms
Business Process Improvement
Business Process Improvement (BPI) is a systematic
approach to help any organization make significant changes in
the way it does business. The organization may be a for-profit
business, a non-profit organization, a government agency, and of
any size.
The goal of BPI is a radical change in the performance of an
organization, rather than a series of changes.
BPI works by:
- Defining the organization's strategic goals and purposes
- Determining the organization's customers
- Aligning the business process to realize the
organization's goals