Six Sigma Methodologies
Six Sigma has three key Methodologies.
1. DMAIC Methodology: It refers to a data-driven quality strategy for improving processes. This methodology is used to improve an existing business process.
This methodology consists of the following five steps.
1. Define – the problem or project goal that needs to be addressed.
2. Measure – the problem and process from which it was produced.
3. Analyze – data and process to determine root causes of defects and opportunities.
4. Improve – the process by finding solutions to fix, diminish, and prevent future problems.
5. Control – Implement, control, and sustain the improvements solutions to keep the process on the new course.
2. DMADV Methodology : It refers to a data-driven quality strategy for designing products & processes. This methodology is used to create new product designs or process designs in such a way that it results in a more predictable, mature and defect free performance.
This methodology consists of five steps:
1. Define – the Problem or Project Goal that needs to be addressed.
2. Measure – and determine customers needs and specifications.
3. Analyze – the process to meet the customer needs.
4. Design – a process that will meet customers needs.
5. Verify – the design performance and ability to meet customer needs.
3. DFSS Methodology : It is a data-driven quality strategy for designing or redesigning a product or service from the ground up.
DFSS is a separate and emerging discipline related to Six Sigma quality processes. This is a systematic methodology utilizing tools, training, and measurements to enable us to design products and processes that meet customer expectations and can be produced at Six Sigma Quality levels.
This methodology can have the following five steps.
1. Define -what the customers want, or what they do not want.
2. Identify -the customer and the project.
3. Design – a process that meets customers needs.
4. Optimize – Determine process capability and optimize the design.
5. Verify – Test, verify, and validate the design.
There are five high-level steps in the application of Six Sigma to improve the quality of output. The first step is Define.
During the Define phase, four major tasks are undertaken :
Task#1. Project Team Formation Perform two activities:
(i) Determine who needs to be on the team.
(ii) What roles will each person perform ?
Picking the right team members can be a difficult decision, especially if a project involves a large number of departments. In such projects, it could be wise to break them down into smaller pieces and work toward completion of a series of phased projects.
Task#2. Document Customers Core Business Processes
Every project has customers. A customer is the recipient of the product or service of the process, targeted for improvement. Every customer has one or multiple needs from his or her supplier. For each need provided for, there are requirements for the need.
The requirements are the characteristics of the need that determine whether the customer is happy with the product or service provided. So, document customer needs and related requirements.
A set of business processes is documented. These processes will be executed to meet customer’s requirements and to resolve their Critical to Quality issues.
Task#3. Develop a Project Charter
This is a document that names the project, summarizes the project by explaining the business case in a brief statement, and lists the project scope and goals. A project charter has the following components:
1. Project name
2. Business case
3. Project scope
4. Project goals
5. Milestones
6. Special requirements
7. Special assumptions
8. Roles and responsibilities of the project team
Task#4. Develop the SIPOC process map:
A process is defined as a series of steps and activities that take inputs, add value, and produce an output.
SIPOC is a process map that identifies all the following elements of a project:
1. Suppliers
2. Input
3. Process
4. Output
5. Customers
The SIPOC process map is essential for identifying:
1. The way processes occur currently.
2. How those processes should be modified and improved throughout the remaining phases of DMAIC.
Concluding, the design phase, you should know who the customer or end-user is, their resistance issues, and requirements. You should also have a clear understanding of goals and the scope of the project including budget, time constraints, and deadlines.
During the Measure Phase, the overall performance of the Core Business Process is measured.
RAJEEV VERMA 