Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) Methodology as a Roadmap in Quality Improvement

The term DMAIC, which stands for ‘‘define, measure, analyze, improve, and control,’’ represents a method for process analysis used in Lean Six Sigma. To understand DMAIC methodology, one must first know the history of Lean and Six Sigma. ‘‘Lean’’ production originates from the Toyota Production System introduced in Japan by engineer Taiichi Ohno in the 1950s through 1980s. Lean principles (aspects of which are shaped by Japanese culture and Japanese Zen Buddhism) are designed to permeate every aspect of an organization from company culture and philosophy down to leadership, technology, teamwork, and task standardization. Ultimately, the goal of Lean is to improve efficiency of a process and deliver the best product by eliminating waste. Six Sigma is a Western concept that originated from statistical modeling of manufacturing processes themselves. In the 1920s, Walter Shewhart created the basis for statistical process control with the concept that observed variation in a manufacturing process leads to deviation which results in an unideal product. Furthermore, changing a manufacturing process without proper analysis can worsen variation and result in more defects. Shewhart went on to work with physicist Edwards Deming to develop the ‘‘Plan Do Study Act’’ (PDSA) cycle in the 1930s. These concepts were applied by engineer Bill Smith in the 1980s to reduce process variation at Motorola and were coined, ‘‘Six Sigma.’’ [2] ‘‘Lean Six Sigma’’ combines the principles of both Lean and Six Sigma with the overarching goal to reduce both waste and variation within a system using data and continuous quality improvement. To reduce variation in a process, Six Sigma utilizes statistical analysis through a 5-step approach called the DMAIC method.