DMAIC

Flow Charts
DMAIC - Improvement Process

Control

Improve
Control
x’s
Analyze Optimize
x’s
Measure Identify
Key x’s
(Inputs)
y = f(x)
Define
Identify y’s
(Outputs)
Identify
Opportunity
Define Phase
Define Phase Flowchart
Identify Opportunity
& Clarify with Sponsor

Define Project Goal

Define the Process

& produce a Process Map

Establish Boundaries
& Prioritize Areas for Attention

Identify
Customer Requirements
Measure Phase
(world of the Ys)
 Measure Phase Flowchart
Do y’s No
Develop Review
Reflect Customer
Measures (y’s) Project
Requirements?

Yes

Is the Yes Mistake Proofing

Defect the Result
(Go to Analyze Phase)
of a Mistake?

No

Is the No Try to Establish a

Measure
Continuous Measure
Continuous?

Yes
Evaluate Yes Has a
See
Measurement Continuous Measure been
Over page
System Established?

No
Treat as
Attribute Data
 Continuous Measure Phase Attribute
Measurement Measurement
System Flowchart System

No Improve No
Is Measurement Is Measurement
Measurement
System Capable? System Capable?
System
Yes Yes
Is the Process No Stability Issue No Is the Process
Stable? (Go to Analyze Phase) Stable?

Yes Yes

Is the Process Yes Review Yes Is the Process

Capable? Project Capable?

No No
No
Is the Process
Is Pp > Target?
Centred?
No
Yes Yes
Variation Process Variation Reduction
Reduction Centering & Process Centering

Go to Analyze Phase
(Variation Reduction Issue)
Analyze Phase
(world of the Xs)
 Analyze Phase Flowchart
Variation Mistake
Stability
Reduction Proofing
Issue
Issue Issue

Identify Identify Identify

Potential x’s Potential x’s Potential x’s

Analyze No Analyze No Analyze No

x’s x’s x’s

Are the x’s Are the x’s Are the x’s

Significant? Significant? Significant?

Yes Yes Yes

Key x’s Key x Key x’s
(Common Causes) (Mistake Proofing) (Special Causes)
Improve Phase
Improve Phase Flowchart
Variation Reduction Issue

Yes
Variation No Establish Relationships
Determine Stability &
Reduction Is Model Known? Between y’s and x’s
Capability of Key x’s
Issue ( y=f(x) Model )

Yes No

No Further x’s No Can Tolerances Is Model

Review Project
Possible? be tightened? Adequate?
Yes
Yes
Establish Targets &
No Tolerances
For Key x’s

Yes Verify Process

Is Project Goal
Go to Control Phase Improvement
Achieved?
(Confirmation Run)
Improve Phase Flowchart
Mistake Proofing Issue

Mistake Proofing No Yes Go to

Does it Work?
Issue Control Phase

Yes Implement Conduct

Can Mistake
Prevention Challenge
be Prevented?
Solution Testing

No

Yes Implement
Can Mistake
Detection
be Detected?
Solution

No

Review
Project
Improve Phase Flowchart
Stability Issue

Stability
Issue

Yes Go Back to
Can the Special
Measure Phase Step:
Cause be Removed?
Is the Process Stable?

No Yes

Make Process No Review

Insensitive to Achieved?
Project
Special Cause
Control Phase
Control Phase Flowchart
Control Key x’s
• Establish Control Plan
• Develop/Update FMEA
• Update Documentation

Is Validation
Necessary?

Yes
No Validate Process

Is Process No Review
Valid? Project

Yes
Monitor y’s

Finalize
Project Charter