The last phase of DMAIC process is ‘C’ontrol Phase. Once the organizations have implemented Six Sigma process, then naturally they want to stick to the gains made from Six Sigma implementation. To make this possible, the new system needs to be controlled in a way that solutions keep on working over the time.
In Control phase the improved system is institutionalized by various activities like modifying compensation and incentive systems, policies etc. The processes are standardized and statistical tools are used to measure the stability of the new system.
In his book “The Six Sigma Handbookâ€, Thomas Pyzdek provides some ways to keep the system up and running. The ways are listed as below:
- Policy changes
- New standards
- Modify procedures
- Modify quality appraisal and audit criteria
- Update prices and contract bid models
- Change engineering drawings
- Change manufacturing planning
- Revise accounting systems
- Revise budgets
- Revise manpower forecasts
- Modify training
- Change information systems
There are some tools to help in the control phase. These are listed below for help in control phase of the DMAIC process:
- Project planning
- Brainstorming.
- Force-field diagram
- Process decision program chart
- Failure mode and effect analysis