Thursday, October 30, 2008

Analyzing Design For Six Sigma to DMAIC

By Craig Calvin

Six Sigma is a great methodology that provides companies with many tools to bring about improvements in business process, and aims at achieving reduction in defects. Six Sigma is often concerned with the methodologies used to bring in changes and improvements. The beauty of Six Sigma is the large number of methodologies which are different as well as complementary to each other, but are suited to various types of businesses.

Comparing DFSS and DMAIC: DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control and proves beneficial when products or services are already present. What is necessary is only improving upon the processes already there. DFSS, which stands for Design for Six Sigma, is mainly concerned with creating or redesigning an existing service or product. In addition, the DMAIC method is almost entirely the same is any sort of organization, where in DFSS, there is not a specific methodology involved.

DMADV as opposed to DMAIC and DFSS: In all actuality, implementing DFSS is usually done by utilizing the DMADV methodology. DMADV stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify, it is also a simplified variant of DFSS.

A comparison with the DMAIC shows that the first two steps Define and Measure are the same. The third step is where the differences start cropping up. According to the DMAIC methodology, the Analyze phase involves analyzing the data collected for the current process and analyzing it to find areas, where improvements and changes can be implemented.

In accordance with the DMADV methodology, the Analyze phase differs in that is is a step taken to gain understanding into the shortcomings in the process, and to shed some light on how to implement a new design for the product. This analysis will result in the development of new products. The core goal of the DMAIC is to lower defects and eliminate waste, which is the reason for the the utilization of resources.

This shows the final difference in the two. DMAIC is a standard methodology being used throughout the world, while the DFSS is an approach which has not been standardized, as there is no universal acceptance for any specific methodology. - 15790

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