DEFINE

The 1st phase of a DMAIC Project.

DEFINE phase

The DEFINE phase will add more definition to the contract. It is important to evaluate team synergy as the GB/BB team leader as well as begin the technical journey. Attention must be devoted to assembling the optimal team and analyzing each members' stake to get best cross functional input and results. This includes choosing a qualified Project Manager, such as a GB/BB.

This phase should engage the Champion frequently to ensure the team is off to the right start. The Champion should act as an observer to ensure progression is acceptable. The Champion should refrain from providing specific direction or preconceived solutions.

A generic roadmap is shown of this phase. In general these are some of the tools that will be used and their outputs.


Click on the links to learn more about the tools typically used within this phase:

Project Management:

Project Contract

Project Management

Project Management Team Tools

Project Acceleration Ideas

Holding Effective Meetings

Gantt Chart

Activity Network Diagram

Affinity Diagram

Gathering Customer Specifications:

Voice of the Customer (VOC)

Kano Model

Critical To Qualilty Linkage (CTQ)

SIPOC

Surveys

Others:

Quality Gurus

Financial Savings Review

Stakeholder Analysis

Pareto Diagram

Spaghetti Diagram

Process Maps

Data Collection

Data Classification

Data Sampling - Population vs. Sample


Health and Safety

Normality Assumption

Venn Diagrams

REMINDER:

You may not use all the tools shown. Each project will have its own path. Don't force the path or shoehorn the use of the tools for the sake of adding material.

The team's time is valuable, get the most of it and apply only tools that are necessary, do your part to minimize waste in the project path.

In general terms this phase is to solidify the baseline measurement of which several can be used and set a realistic goal for the Six Sigma leader and the team. 





Quiz yourself on the DEFINE phase

Want to see more certification questions?

These are the easy questions. There are nearly 200 practice questions available to subscribers. Questions cover topics related to Six Sigma, Lean, Project Management, and basic financial metrics...suitable for aspiring Black Belts.

Most of the questions have explanations and links for additional research. 

Subscribe here



Proceed to the 2nd phase of a DMAIC project: MEASURE

Review of BASIC STATISTICS

Templates, Statistics Tables, and Calculators

Test your knowledge with these sample certification problems

Six-Sigma-Material Home Page


Recent Articles

  1. Process Capability Indices

    Oct 18, 21 09:32 AM

    Process Capability Overview
    Determing the process capability indices, Pp, Ppk, Cp, Cpk, Cpm

    Read More

  2. Six Sigma Calculator, Statistics Tables, and Six Sigma Templates

    Sep 14, 21 09:19 AM

    MTBF and MTTR Template Picture
    Six Sigma Calculators, Statistics Tables, and Six Sigma Templates to make your job easier as a Six Sigma Project Manager

    Read More

  3. Six Sigma Templates, Statistics Tables, and Six Sigma Calculators

    Aug 16, 21 01:25 PM

    MTBF and MTTR Template Picture
    Six Sigma Templates, Tables, and Calculators. MTBF, MTTR, A3, EOQ, 5S, 5 WHY, DPMO, FMEA, SIPOC, RTY, DMAIC Contract, OEE, Value Stream Map, Pugh Matrix

    Read More

Custom Search


Site Membership
LEARN MORE


Six Sigma

Templates, Tables & Calculators


Six Sigma Slides

CLICK HERE

Green Belt Program (1,000+ Slides)

Basic Statistics

Cost of Quality

SPC

Process Mapping

Capability Studies

MSA

SIPOC

Cause & Effect Matrix

FMEA

Multivariate Analysis

Central Limit Theorem

Confidence Intervals

Hypothesis Testing

T Tests

1-Way ANOVA

Chi-Square

Correlation

Regression

Control Plan

Kaizen

MTBF and MTTR

Project Pitfalls

Error Proofing

Z Scores

OEE

Takt Time

Line Balancing

Yield Metrics

Sampling Methods

Data Classification

Practice Exam

... and more



Need a Gantt Chart?

Click here to get this template