What is DMAIC and DMADV?

The Six Sigma has two key methodologies viz. DMAIC and DMADV. The DMAIC is used to improve an existing business process. While DMADV is used to create new product designs or process designs in such a way that it results in a more predictable, defect free, and mature performance.

DMAIC

The basic methodology of DMAIC consists of the following five phases:

Define- It formally defines the process improvement goals that are consistent with the customer demands and enterprise strategy.

Measure- It is used to define baseline measurements on current process for future comparison. Map and measure process in question and collect required process data.

Analyze-It is used to verify relationship and causality of factors. What is the relationship? Are there other factors that have not been considered?

Improve - It is used to optimize the process based upon the analysis using techniques such as Design of experiments.

Control- It is used to setup pilot runs to establish process capability, transition to production & thereafter continuously measure the process and institute control mechanisms to ensure that variances are corrected before they result in defects.

DMADV

The basic methodology of DMADV consists of the following five phases:

Define- It formally defines the goals of the design activity that are consistent with the customer demands and enterprise strategy.

Measures- It is used to identify CTQs, production process capability, product capabilities, risk assessment, etc.

Analyze-It is used to develop and design alternatives, create high-level design and evaluate the design capability to select the best design.

Design- It is used to develop detail design, optimize design, and plan for design verification. This phase may need simulations.

Verify-It is used to setup pilot runs, design, implement production process and handover to process owners. This phase may also require simulations.