Problem Solving Methods - DMAIC Flashcards
What is DMAIC?
a problem solving methodology that stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control
What are some example outcomes of a DMAIC project?
- eliminated need for extra staffing
- prevent waste of expensive materials
- reduce harmful by-products
- improve customer satisfaction
- eliminate errors that negatively affect customers
- reduce calls to call centers
What is the purpose of the define phase?
to clarify the problem
What content is in the project charter?
1) the problem statement
2) primary metric
3) goal for improvement
4) customer expectations
Who is typically responsible for the define phase?
the Green Belt and Project Champion
Which DMAIC phase is the most important and why?
Define; a poorly defined project will not be successful and will frustrate the team and organization
What is the purpose of the measure phase?
to come to a common understanding of the current process
Who is involved in the measure phase?
project team, subject matter experts, green belt
What is the purpose of the analyze phase?
to determine the root causes of the problem
What is a big risk of the analyze phase?
if the work is not done thoroughly, the wrong root cause(s) will be addressed and the problem will remain after the project is completed
What is the purpose of the improve phase?
to determine potential solutions
What is the purpose of the control phase?
to ensure the sustainability of the improvement
What is a big risk of the control phase?
that it is overlooked or not completed which will likely result in the return of the problem
What is a control plan?
a plan that documents how the process is to be performed and measured, as well as the steps to take if a problem occurs
What is the GB’s role in DMAIC projects?
- subject matter expert in using DMAIC
- facilitation of a team of process subject matter experts
- help the team work through the steps to improve the way they do their work and eliminate problems in the process
- might assist a black belt on a larger project
What activities take place in the define phase? (7)
- develop project charter
- develop project plan
- develop stakeholder analysis
- develop communication plans and RACI charts
- identify subject matter experts needed to solve problem
- conduct initial team meeting to develop SIPOC
- gather VOC
What activities take place in the measure phase? (5)
- develop a more detailed process map
- evaluate the primary metric measurement system for accuracy and precision
- build a data collection plan
- collect baseline process data
- conduct baseline process capability (compare VOP to VOC)
What activities take place in the analyze phase? (6)
- analyze the process map for areas needing improvement
- brainstorm other data that may need to be collected (is an additional tool needed?)
- update the data collection plan
- collect necessary data
- perform data analysis using hypothesis testing
- determine root cause that should be addressed based on process and data analysis
What activities take place in the improve phase? (5)
- brainstorm potential solutions
- evaluate and prioritize proposed solutions
- test the most likely solutions with pilots, prototypes, and/or designed experiments
- select the final solutions for implementations
- measure the effects of potential solutions on the primary metric (and additional metrics, if applicable)
What activities take place in the control phase? (6)
- train those who perform the process
- perform a measurement system analysis on any new measurement systems
- finish the implementation of solutions
- build control plan
- turn responsibility over to the process owner
- finalize documentation of project and lessons learned
What are the define phase deliverables? (7)
1) project charter
2) project plan
3) stakeholder analysis and communication plans
4) RACI charts
5) project team
6) SIPOC
7) customer specification limits
What is a SIPOC?
a high level process map that shows suppliers, inputs, process steps, outputs and customers
What are the measure phase deliverables? (5)
1) process maps
2) validated or improved measurement systems
3) data collection plan
4) baseline process capability
5) updated project charter and project plan, if needed
What are the analyze phase deliverables? (4)
1) updated data collection plan
2) results of process and data analysis
3) verified root causes
4) updated project charter and project plan, if needed
What are the improve phase deliverables? (3)
1) pilot results
2) final solutions for implementation
3) updated project charter and project plan, if needed
What are the control phase deliverables? (4)
1) updated training plan
2) validated new measurement systems
3) control plan
4) finalized project report
