Anticlue

One thing is fairly certain. If you take a little time, everyone can list several organizational processes with problems. Imagine for a moment having a well know industry accepted process to solve these problems. Six Sigma is a methodology to identify and resolve these problems. Six Sigma is based on a process called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control)

DMAIC is a five-phase improvement cycle. The five phases guide one through the steps of a Six Sigma process improvement project. The DMAIC phases are: selecting the project, forming the team, training the team, following DMAIC to implement a solution, and transferring the ownership of the solution.

1. Selecting the project
Upper management selects priority projects. The ideal projects add value to the customer and the business and are achievable. The project should also be meaningful and manageable.
2. Forming the team
Team members who can contribute and are familiar with the process to be improved are selected. . The team maybe temporary with individuals returning to their normal jobs once the project is complete. The benefits of being a part of a DMAIC teams it that the members learn new skills, gain experience solving various types of problems.
3.Training the team
A critical factor of team effectiveness is training, This is a mix of classroom training and on-the-job training.
4. Following DMAIC , implement a solution
DMAIC teams generally implement the solutions they select using the guiding principals of DMAIC.
5. Transferring ownership of the solution
Teams are also responsible for transferring ownership of the solution to a process owner. The solution must be effectively communicated to the appropriate workers and necessary training provided, so the solution is permanent and will continually add value to customers.

DMAIC works as a cross-functional improvement tool allowing an organization to look at processes from "end to end." In the Define step, a project team is formed, customers and their most important requirements are identified, and a project charter is developed. The charter includes the reason for choosing the project, a statement of the problem and the project goal, any limitations on the project and its scope, the team members, and the names of all who have a stake in the success of the project. It also includes a preliminary project plan. A chart of the high-level view of the process to be improved is developed.

In the Measure step, the best ways to measure the process are identified, data collection is planned and executed, variations in the process are found, and a current sigma level is calculated. DMAIC training covers gathering and sampling data, and when to count it. The current sigma level should be calculated as a measure against customer requirements and for comparison with other processes.

In the Analyze step, data collected in the Measure step is analyzed, as is the process, to enable the root cause of the problem to be found. Experience, data, and process review are used to find and verify possible causes of process variation.

The Improve step includes identifying, testing, refining, and implementing a solution for the root cause of the problem. Possible solutions are identified and tested until the best solutions can be selected. An implementation plan is decided upon. The new approach is then implemented, and the improvement is validated.

In the Control step, a monitoring plan to confirm and sustain the improvement is documented and implemented. The solution is institutionalized by updating policies, procedures, budgets, instructions, and other management systems, as necessary. The project is sold to the organization's customers, both external and internal, management support is secured, and finally, ownership is carefully transferred to those working with the new system daily.
Six Sigma does not attempt to re-invent the wheel but utilizes statistical methods that have been in existence for decades.

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