Six Sigma DMAIC- The Analysis Phase

Three Steps in Analysis Phase¹

The three major steps are:

1. Data Analysis
2. Process Analysis
3. Root Cause Analysis

Data Analysis

This step is the analysis of the data collected during measurement phase of DMAIC process. Now how the data will be analyzed depends upon the type of data collected. Mainly two types of data is there discrete and continuous. So analysis methods are also different. These are listed below:

Discrete Data Analysis

1. Pareto Analysis.
2. Pie Charts.

Continuous Data Analysis

1. Frequency Distribution Check Sheets.
2. Run Charts.

Process Analysis

The process analysis step is related with quantifying the current process. Various steps are taken during this phase. The major aim is to find out the areas producing variation from desired results and hence improving upon the effeciency of the process. This analysis is listed as below:

1. Mapping of subprocess under the main process. This helps to picturize the process.
2. To list any steps which are listed in the process but don’t add any value to the process.
3. Where in the process, the problems are found.

Root Cause Analysis²

Whatever problems are found in the process analysis, have some root cause. In this step we try to find out the root cause of the problems in the process. The root cause analysis has main three steps:

Open Step

During this step all the ideas are brainstormed and collected but no evaluation of the ideas is done yet. Full team participates in the process.

Narrow Step

During this step the ideas collected are evaluated. Then problem of sigma is narrowed down to the specific reasons and rest of the ideas are eliminated.

Close Step

During this last step the ideas are validated and noted for further analysis and experimentation.

¹The content help has been taken from the book “The Six Sigma Handbook” by “THOMAS PYZDEK”.

²The ideas in this book are presented with the help of the book: “Six Sigma For Everyone” written by: George Eckes.