In this post, I will discuss the DMAIC approach to project management.

The full form of

DMAIC is Define, Measure, Analysis, Improve and Control. 

D – Define the problem in terms of what is

wrong?
M – Measure the non-conformance /
abnormality
A – Analyze the situation to establish root
cause
I – Improve by implementing
countermeasures
C – Control through prevention of
reoccurrence
Waste elimination from a process is one of the core objectives of the lean project
implementation. Waste elimination program is implemented project-by-project. For lean
3 types of projects can be taken up -

 Quality improvement projects 

 Cost reduction projects 
 Lead time reduction projects 

Every project should have a formal starting and a completion date. Waste elimination
project has to be completed in a period of 12-16 weeks (exception may be in some
special cases, but it should be avoided)

DMAIC approach to project management

Step#1 Define Phase: (D – Define the problem in terms of what is wrong)
The very first step in successful problem solving is defining it in a way that it can be
easily solved. Let’s define the problem.

What is a problem?

 A problem is undesirable result of a process

  A problem is a cause of shortfall between a target (desired state) and the current
state. 
 The intensity of a problem depends on the variance of the current situation from
the targeted value. 
 A problem is an opportunity for improvement
 Eliminating the causes of the shortfall between the target and actual is called as
Problem Solving. 

Following steps may be applied for effective problem definition:

1. Understand the problem 

2. Develop a problem statement 
3. Set the project objective and goals 
4. Define the milestones for project completion 
5. Form a project team and describe the role of team members 

1.1 Understanding the Problem 

Understand the nature of the problem the which needs to be solved. 

 Is quality a problem?
 Is productivity a problem? 
 Is cost a problem?
 Is delivery a problem
 Is safety a problem?
 Is morale a problem?

Assess the damage: how much damage does the problem cause? How much
qualitative, quantitative and financial impact does it make?
Understand the subsequent processes: how the next process is impacted by the
problem?

Identify key focus areas: key focus areas are those aspects of problem which are
given special attention. Based on the focus, limited resources available with the project
team has to be deployed to accomplish the project in given time. 

1.2 Develop a problem statement 

Develop a problem statement that accurately and clearly describes the current condition.
Consider the following questions:

 Is problem stated objectively?

 Is the problem limited in scope?
 Do all concerned people of a project team and improvement activities have a
common understanding of the problem?

Characteristics of a problem statement includes:

  What is wrong?
 Where the problem occurs?
 When it happens? How long it has been?
 How big is the problem?
 What is economic impact of the problem?

Example: Problem statement

During March to June (when), rejection from unit 2 (where) has reached to 6% (what),
which is 2% percent higher than the previous quarter. This has resulted in a loss of 4
lakh to the company (impact). 

Setting improvement objectives

Objectives and goals: Objectives are guiding principles that direct the efforts of team
members in their contribution to the project goal. 

Establish specific quantitative objectives in terms of: 

 What: the item or the characteristic evaluated?

 To what extent: the target value to be reached:
 When: delivery date, date of completion?

1.3 Goal statement 

 Goal statement defines the improvement (result) project team is seeking to

accomplish.
 Starts with a verb (reduce, eliminate, control, increase, improve etc.)
 Provides measurable targets with a completion date
 Statement is actionable and sets the focus, motivates team
 Does not include the presumed cause or prescribed solutions. 

Example goal statement: 

Reduce the rejection rate at unit 2 from current level to 2% by the end of next quarter
ending 30th September. 

1.4 Define milestones for project completion: 

It is not enough to have goals and objective only; you need checkpoints and activities to
get your project to the goal and objectives. Otherwise, how can you ensure that you are
going in right direction?

 Periodic checkpoints help you to measure the project progress

 Milestones are the long term checkpoints. They are used to measure actual
versus planned progress of the project
 Develop a comprehensive project schedule right from start to finish

Step#2: Measure Phase (M – Measure the non-conformance / abnormality)

The main activities of measure phase are:
  Clarify measurement objectives
 Develop process map
 Decide what data to be collected
 Collect and compile valid data 

Measurement objectives: measurement activity gathers data to establish “current

state” what is actually going on in the work place. The objective of measurement is to
collect all relevant data that describes the nature of the problem. To set the
measurement objective, you need to address the following:

 What is your goal, or expected outcome for collecting data?

 What process will you measure to collect data?
 What data do you need to collect to meet your objectives?

Develop process map: to collect data project team has to study, understand and
observe the processes where the problem exists. A process map is a tool used to
understand and analyze the process. The process map is a graphical presentation of
steps, events, operations, and relationships of resources within a process. 

Decide what data to be collected: using the project goal and process map, decide: 

 What data is needed?

 Clarify the operational definition of each measurement
 Determine the measurement methods that will be required
 Determine the sample size 
 Make a data collection plan

Collect Data: collect data on the relationship between defects (result) and various
factors that influence it. Collect data impartially. Do not collect only data that is easy and
convenient to collect. Investigate from many different points of view to discover variation
in the results. Design appropriate formats for data collection. Compile data in appropriate
format that can facilitate correct and quick analysis. 
Step#3: Analyze Phase (A – Analyze the situation to establish root cause)
As explained earlier the objective of the analysis is to reach the root cause of the
problem. This step is divided into two parts. 

1. Set up hypotheses & 

2. Test the hypotheses 

Hypotheses - Hypotheses is a proposition made as the basis for reasoning. It is the

starting point for further investigation from known facts. It involves selection of major
factors and causes. 

How to set up hypotheses?

 Prepare a cause & effect diagram so as to collect all knowledge concerning

possible causes
 Use the information collected during measure phase and delete any data which
are not clearly relevant. Revise the C&E diagram. 
  Select these elements in the latter diagram which seems to have a high
possibility of being main causes. 

Testing the hypotheses:Building the hypotheses and testing the hypotheses are two
different things, same data cannot be used for both. Verification of hypotheses requires
new data not used for building hypotheses. Testing involves deriving the main cause
from selected main factors. 

 Tests of the hypotheses must be based on data obtained from experiments and
surveys. The fresh data should be collected according to a carefully constructed
plan. 
 Testing the hypotheses is investigating whether a relationship actually exists
between the possible causes and results and if does exists, how strong the
relationship is? What effect the possible cause has?
 Finally, identify the true root cause for improvement action. 

Step#4: Control phase (C- Control through prevention of reoccurrence)

This step is must in lean project management 

 To make sure that system and processes stay in controlled condition after
problem is solved
 To hold the gains of improvement
 To quickly detect the “out of control” state and take immediate corrective and
preventive action

To hold the gain of improvement following control must be taken by the project teams:

 Process control
 Standardization
 Mistake proofing
 Education and training

What is process control?

A control mechanism, which ensures that process performance is maintained at a level
that satisfies customer’s requirements and drives the ongoing improvement of process
performance.

Elements of process control

 Documentation of the process

 Process metrics
 Process monitoring
 Ability to take prompt action in “out of control” situation

Standardization

 Make the changes in work methods permanent by standardizing procedures and

methods. 
 The relationship between the standardization and quality is very close. The
quality problem such as generation of defects occurring in the daily process,
 higher cost of poor quality, wrong delivery etc are mainly because of poor work
standards or absence of standardization in the organization. 
 Standardization is the organizational action to set standards and use them, not
simply establish them.
 Standards related to cost, performance, operating practices, inputs, and outputs
should be established, maintained, periodically reviewed and improved.
 Integrate the work standards into the job.
 Standards are controlling mechanism to maintain operating discipline in the
organization.

Education and Training

 Even if the company standards are made and distributed to the concerned
people, it may not have the desired effect, as it may not be read.
 Even if they are read, it might be not well understood.
 Even if the standards are understood, it may be difficult to implement. 
 In several organizations, people feel pride in violating the standards. This
particular habit of people calls for proper education and training. 
 Improvements made by project teams, need to be understood and adopted by
the people, which requires the change in attitude, knowledge, and skills. This
change can be brought by proper education and training.