DMAIC

Abstract

The DMAIC-framework is a Six Sigma tool used to secure the best practice in planning and executing an engineering project. When you as a project manager work with advance engineering projects, whose purpose is to improve and stabilize a current process, it is advantageous to apply the DMAIC-framework. The abbreviation DMAIC stands for the following:

• Define the project and its limitations so the scope of the project is well-defined. If not, it is almost impossible to measure and improve, if you do now know where to start.

• Measure the current state to understand the extent of the problem and define the desired end state. If this isn’t done, your project can not be rated as a failure or success, if you don’t have a target.

• Analyze the reason to the problem and come up with a range of possible causes. The best solutions will proceed to the improve phase.

• Improve the current state with the recommended solution or solutions found in the analyze.

• Control if the desired end state is reached. If not, start over again.

This article will describe which tools, you as a project manager, are recommended to apply for each section, and the pros/cons of the usage. It is important to emphasize that the phases can overlap each other, and an example will be presented in the article. By using this framework, the project manager secures that he or she does not overlook anything and accidentally jump to conclusions.

The framework is also suitable as a structure for major technical project as bachelor- and candidate projects. Since the lector and censor typically know about the framework, they have already outlined your project roughly, and it will give you an advantage in creating the famously red threat. An example of this will be presented in the article.

Why to use the framework and what to expect from it

When you as a project manager uses the DMAIC framework, is it to achieve a well-tested solution that will eliminate your problem discovered in the define phase. The framework is designed to be used on a well-established process with minor difficulties. If your process is not in control and the variation is high, LEAN is a more suitable framework or ideology to follow. To perspective this to everyday life, imagine that you drive your car on a road. It is said, if you neither has LEAN nor Six Sigma, you will end up in the ditch now and then. If you have LEAN implemented, you will keep the car on the road. If six sigma, which DMAIC belongs to, is implemented, you will be able to drive on the center stripe. If your process is in control but not quite delivering the desired yield, then please read on – this article is for you!