DMAIC: Process Improvement Principle to Optimize Operations/Process/Systems.

The DMAIC rule defines 5 important terms that can be used as a framework during the process improvement, operations, and reducing waste strategies. Lean Six Sigma in the traditional business is a data-driven strategy to :

1. Optimize the Process

2. Reduce the waste

3. Cost Reduction

4. Improve the transparency and visibility

5. Reduce variation, bottlenecks, lead time, and frequent uncertainties

6. Increase the productivity

The 5 steps of the DMAIC Principle are :

1. Define: Defining the problem statement of the project/task so that it becomes a clear On-paper about what problem actually we need to solve during the project tenure. The objective, goals, vision, timeline, teammates, and process should be properly stated in the document usually termed as Project Charter.

2. Measure: To understand the current stage and reason for the problem it's important to measure the existing performance of the project/process/systems. This step should be executed in terms of Finances, Mathematical Numbers, Data, Resources, KPIs, Resources, and assets.

3. Analyze: Based on the results and output of the 2nd Step Measure and compare it with the 1st Step Define - We analyze what is the causing problem, how the problem and uncertainty can be faced, how the particular variation can be reduced with the help of available resources and what will be pros/cons of our formulated strategy.

4. Improve: This is the execution step in which we implement the changes, adapt solutions, form new processes with standardized policies and guidelines, optimize the existing system, and restructure the project/firm’s operations as per the defined goals and expected output of the clients/stakeholders.

5. Control: After all the steps it’s important to form KPI (Key Performance Indicators) and tracking measures to frequently access the real-time data, understand the basic problems immediately and be ready with their solution, monitor the plans, people, process, and product, systems and form continuous improvement measures.

The above steps are just the basic frameworks that can be followed while formulating the strategy to reach our goals. It gives direction on what and how our brain should work while thinking of solving a problem. This is just a mindset map to move ahead to achieve our goal to improve the process/operations/product and reduce waste/cost.

In our next Lean Six Sigma map, I will state all the tools that can be used at every step of this principle/framework.

Do Follow my newsletter to read the structured series of blogs on Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, and Supply chain management.

Written by - Dhruman Gohil