Learning Six Sigma concepts can be beneficial to an organization's effectiveness. Proper Six Sigma training can help an organization to understand why processes do not perform as expected and how to improve those that are not effective enough. Process of improvement is based on the DMAIC approach. DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improvement, Control. Understanding how it works is a key element to ANY Six Sigma training.

What is DMAIC?

Specifically, DMAIC is a simple performance improvement model. DMAIC begins with defining the goal of the improvement activity. Definition of the goal depends on the level: top levels of the organization can define the goal as attaining greater customer loyalty, increasing revenue, and even improving employee satisfaction, while at process level this might be to reduce the defect level or increase throughput for a process. Usually the most important goals are obtained from customers. In Six Sigma training, learning how to define goals for DMAIC it is the key to success.

If the goal has been defined, it's time to proceed to the next step. Measurement is very important to the whole DMAIC model. Firstly, it helps understand how the existing process works. Then, after the whole cycle of DMAIC, it helps to understand how the effectiveness of the process has changed. The key elements of this step is to gather enough statistical data to analyze and process data. In the Six Sigma training quality controllers and process controllers have to learn HOW to analyze and process statistical data. This includes using specialized computer applications which help to speed up the processing. In the measurement phase, the current state defines the baseline for further analysis.

After gathering enough data, it is then analyzed to identify problems and possible ways to eliminate gaps between current performance and the desired one. Analysis is perhaps the most mathematical part, and thus can mostly be done using specialized software. Learning WHAT software is crucial for the given task and is one of the more important elements of Six Sigma training. Data provided by the analysis phase is used to improve the process. This phase is perhaps the most difficult as it demands not only solid knowledge, but also raw creativity. It is important to any Six Sigma coach to remember to encourage creativity in the Six Sigma training subjects. Without that, it is impossible to properly implement not only DMAIC, but also other methodologies. A creative approach is the key element in finding new ways to do things better, faster and cheaper. After inventing such a new way, it should be carefully analyzed to validate the improvement.