Six Sigma Paper
DMAIC and DMADV are Six Sigma process improvement tools used in many organizations related to total quality management (TQM). The following information will briefly describe both tools, the various steps of each, and how each step varies from one tool to the other.
Definitions and Descriptions
Both DMAIC and DMADV are processes used to solve process problems in businesses. DMAIC is an acronym that stands for define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. DMADV is an acronym that stands for define, measure, analyze, design, validate.
Clyde Creveling states: “The DMAIC process is easy to learn and apply. It provides strong benefits to those who follow its simple steps using a small, focused set of tools, methods, and best practices” (Creveling, 2007, p. 7). DMADV is a reactive Six Sigma approach that can be applied when a process cannot be improved as it is currently designed (Creveling, 2007, p. 8).
Each step of both processes have specific phases and gates to complete. The
Steps of DMAIC Versus DMADV
“The DMAIC process has been used to improve existing designs and the process that make them in many companies across the world” (Creveling, 2007, p. 2), whereas DMADV is used to develop new processes when the current process cannot be improved as designed. As noted the first three steps in either process are the same. However, in DMAIC, the last two steps are related to improvement, and in the last two steps of DMADV, they are focused on design and validation of a new process (Creveling, 2007, Chapter 1).
Step One – Define
The define step in DMAIC is focused on identification of the problem in a process, whereas in DMADV, it is focused on defining an opportunity for a new process (Creveling, 2007, Chapter 1).
Step Two – Measure
Both processes have a measure step. In DMAIC the measure step gathers data about the problem. In DMADV the measure step adds “VOC data associated with the opportunity to design a new process”...