Getting started with Six Sigma

Six Sigma uses two different sets of methodologies DMAIC and DMADV to examine and address aspects of business processes. The DMAIC and the DMADV distinction are aimed at viewing different sector of a business simultaneously but addressing them separately. Despite unique distinctions the methodologies overlap during the examination process and share the same end goal - improvement of business processes.

Each methodology has own set of guidelines and goals targeted at improving business processes through the statistical tools and use of data collections. While the methodologies are designed to achieve same thing there are noteworthy differences between the two that should be considered by professional in leaderships roles or in business environments with a wide range of organizational settings.

DMAIC

The set of Six Sigma methodologies that is most applicable to the manufacturing or production side of a product or service DMAIC includes below project stages:

• Define - address the identification of specific processes to be examined
• Measure - record data and use metrics to track effectiveness and evaluate efficiencies
• Analyze - utilize critical thinking skills to review data and clarify goals
• Improve - create changes in business processes geared toward improvement and better alignment with corporate goals
• Control - build a system of checks and adjustments for ongoing improvement in production processes

DMADV

The complementary set of Six Sigma processes that is most applicable for examining and improving the customer relations side of a company DMADV includes these project stages:

• Define - address customer needs in relation to a products or services
• Measure -  use of electronic data collections to measure customer needs, response to product or review of services
• Analyze - utilize metrics to evaluate areas where products or service can be better aligned to customer goals and needs
• Design - overlap the improvements of business processes that streamline corporate goals to best meet clients and customers needs
• Verify - build a system of tests and models to check that customers specifications are addressed through on-going improvements