‘I’ stands for Improvement in DMAIC. During this stage to reduce process sigma, the improvement steps are taken for the problematic processes identified during Define, Measurement and Analysis phases. Lots of other things are in action during this stage as listed below:
- Project Management
- Risk Assessment
- Process Simulation
- Design of Experiments
- Robust Design Concepts
- Process Optimization
The major steps followed are1:
- Generating Solutions
- Selecting Solutions
- Creating Future Process Maps2
Generating Solutions
Solutions are designed based upon the root causes of the problems in processes which cause variations. The major aims of these solution is to optimize the process.
Selecting Solutions
Out of the generated solutions, few or more solutions are chosen based on various criteria. The ultimate aim of providing solutions is process optimization. Detailed study of the process during Define, Measurement and Analysis phases acts as a guide to selection of the solutions. Various experiments are conducted. While implementing the solutions, Sigma is recalculated and then solutions are prioritized. This process is conducted till the goals of Six Sigma in the process is reached or nearly reached.
Creating Future Process Maps
Once the solutions are selected, the other plans come in picture so that future process maps can be produced. The following are the steps taken to create future process maps:
- Listing best practices in the process area.
- Standardizing best practices.
1The ideas in this book are presented with the help of the book: “Six Sigma For Everyone†written by: George Eckes.
2The Six Sigma Project Planner By Thomas Pyzdek.