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Six Sigma DMAIC Quick Reference - Measure Phase

By Patrick Waddick

Measure Phase
      Jump To:
         Deliverables
         Checkpoints
         Questions
         Tools
Six Sigma DMAIC Define Phase

(Select a phase and click 'Go' to view in detail)
 
Deliverables Of Phase:
Key measures identified, data collection planned and executed, process variation displayed and communicated, performance baselined, sigma level calculated.
 
Checkpoints For Completion:
Key Measures Identified
 Key measures identified and agreed upon.
 High impact defects defined and identified in the business process.
 
Data Collection Planned and Executed
 Solid data collection plan established that includes measurement systems analysis.
 Data collected on key measures that were identified.
 
Process Variation Displayed/Communicated
 Process variation components displayed/communicated using suitable charts, graphs, plots.
 Long term and short term variability accounted for.
 
Performance Baseline/Sigma Calculation
 Measure baseline process performance (capability, yield, sigma level).
 
Questions To Determine Appropriate Application:
Key Measures Identified
 What are the key input variables? What the key process variables? What are the key output variables?
 What key measures identified indicate the performance of the business process?
 What are the agreed upon definitions of the high impact characteristics (CTQs), defect(s), unit(s), and opportunities that will figure into the sigma calculations and process capability metrics?
 
Data Collection Planning and Execution
 Was a data collection plan established?
 What data was collected (past, present, future/ongoing)?
 Who participated in the data collection?
 How did the team select a sample?
 What has the team done to assure the stability and accuracy of the measurement process?
 Was a gauge R&R conducted?
 Was stratification needed in the data collection and analysis?
 
Process Variation Displayed/Communicated
 What charts has the team used to display the components of variation in the process?
 What does the chart tell us in terms of variation?
 
Performance Baseline/Sigma Calculation
 What is the current process performance in terms of it capability indices?
 What is the current process performance in terms of its yield or sigma level(s)?
 How large is the gap between current performance and the customer-specified (goal) performance?
 Have you found any 'ground fruit' or 'low-hanging fruit' for immediate remedies to the gap in performance?
 What particular quality tools did the team find helpful in getting through the measure phase?
 
Useful Tools:
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