DMAIC

What is DMAIC

DMAIC is one of the most common and useful methodology. The DMAIC improvement cycle is the core tool used to drive Lean Six Sigma Projects. DMAIC is an abbreviation of the five improvement steps: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. For all the complex projects, all of the DMAIC process steps are required and in the same order. However, if the problem simple of Just do it type, then some steps can be skipped.

Define: Define and quantify the problem and objective

Measure: Baseline process, validate measures and identify all possible x’s and dependent y’s

Analyze: Analyze and validate causes and identifying critical x’s

Improve: Develop and Validate Solutions

Control: Implement and sustain solution

Example of DMAIC

Lets understand from an example of how DMAIC is applied in a Lean Six Sigma Project of Quick Burger Delivery

DMAIC Process

Define: Dropping sales of “Quick Burgers”

Measure: They were not getting a  repeat order and the number of sales dropped with each passing day. The customer was not willing to wait for more than 5 min for their order and also they wanted their order within 3 min of the burger being cooked, to ensure that the burger is hot enough.

Analyze: The team observed that their lead time was 23.75 min While the Total cycle time was 11.75min. Both these figures were no way close to the customers expectations of 5 min (from placing the order till the delivery of order).

Improve: In addition to implementing an electronic ordering system, the team also considered the use of supermarkets, FIFO lanes, and kanbans to reduce or eliminate inventory between processes

Control: The team now monitors the time between the operations through SPC and has increased the sales