Project Detail
Six Sigma Improvement and Design for Six Sigma improve process effectiveness by reducing defects:
- Thoroughly understand the process and the customer requirements;
- Analyze data to identify root causes of defects (failure to meet a customer’s need);
- Identify breakthrough solutions to reach a goal of near-perfection.
Six Sigma DMAIC fits best when:
- Problem or gap in performance exists
- Root cause(s) are unknown/unsure
- “Band-aids” are unacceptable
- Customer needs and requirements unclear
Six Sigma DMAIC Steps:
- Define: understand the problem, process, & customer
- Measure: quantify how well the process meets customer needs
- Analyze: identify and confirm root causes of the problem
- Improve: fix the problem
- Control: monitor the process to ensure the problem stays fixed
Design for Six Sigma fits best when:
- Process or product is new (does not exist); or
- The problem is so bad that old process needs to be discarded
- Customer requirements need to be well-defined
- Resources are available for a detailed effort
Design for Six Sigma Steps:
- Define: understand the problem, vision/goal, & customer
- Measure: identify and quantify customer requirements
- Analyze: thoroughly describe the design requirements
- Design: create a “fully capable” process or product
- Verify: ensure that the process will remain capable in the future
