DMAIC in Six Sigma: Full Form, Steps & Example
Definition
DMAIC — Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control — is the five-step, data-driven problem-solving method used in Six Sigma to improve an existing process by finding and removing the root causes of defects and variation.
| Term | DMAIC (Six Sigma) |
|---|---|
| In Hindi | DMAIC (सिक्स सिग्मा) |
| Area | Production & quality |
| Search phrase | DMAIC |
| Try it | Pareto analysis |
DMAIC (सिक्स सिग्मा) — हिंदी में अर्थ
DMAIC — परिभाषित करें, मापें, विश्लेषण करें, सुधारें, नियंत्रित करें — सिक्स सिग्मा की पाँच चरणों वाली, आँकड़ों पर आधारित समस्या-समाधान पद्धति है, जिससे मौजूदा प्रक्रिया के दोषों और भिन्नता के मूल कारण ढूँढकर हटाए जाते हैं।
The five steps and their tools
Define: the problem, goal, scope and customer in a project charter (SIPOC). Measure: current performance with reliable data (measurement system analysis, baseline defect rate). Analyse: find and prove root causes (Pareto, fishbone, 5 whys, hypothesis tests). Improve: test and implement solutions (pilot runs, poka-yoke, design of experiments). Control: hold the gain (control plan, SOP update, control charts).
What Six Sigma means
A process running at six sigma produces no more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. Few SME processes need that level, but the DMAIC discipline — define the problem in numbers, prove the cause with data, and lock in the fix — works at any scale. DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyse, Design, Verify) is the variant used for designing new processes.
Example
Define: powder-coated panels rejected for thin coating at 6%; goal under 1.5% in three months. Measure: DFT readings on 500 panels. Analyse: Pareto shows 70% of rejects on the top rack row; cause — gun distance. Improve: fixed gun stands and a revised racking pattern. Control: hourly DFT check on a control chart. Rejection falls to 1.2%.
Related tools and guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of DMAIC?
Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control.
What is Six Sigma?
A data-driven method for reducing variation and defects, aiming at 3.4 defects per million opportunities.
What is the difference between DMAIC and PDCA?
Both are improvement cycles. PDCA is simpler and suits small kaizens; DMAIC is more structured and data-heavy for complex problems.
What is the difference between DMAIC and DMADV?
DMAIC improves an existing process; DMADV designs a new one.
Related terms
- 5 Whys (root cause analysis)The 5 Whys is a root cause analysis technique in which a team asks 'why?' repeatedly — typically about five times — starting from a problem, until it reaches a cause that, if fixed, stops the problem coming back.
- 5S5S is a workplace organisation method with five steps: Sort (Seiri), Set in order (Seiton), Shine (Seiso), Standardise (Seiketsu) and Sustain (Shitsuke).
- CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)CAPA stands for Corrective and Preventive Action — a structured process to find the root cause of a quality problem, fix it so it does not recur (corrective), and stop similar problems before they occur (preventive).
- First pass yield (FPY)First pass yield (FPY) is the percentage of units that pass a process step correctly the first time, without rework, repair or scrap. FPY = units passed first time ÷ units entering the step × 100.
- Fishbone diagram (Ishikawa)A fishbone diagram, also called an Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, lays out all the possible causes of a problem in categories along the 'bones' of a fish whose head is the problem, so that a team can brainstorm and then test the likely ones.
- Job workJob work means processing of goods belonging to another registered person (the principal) — such as machining, plating, painting or heat treatment. Under GST, the principal can send goods to a job worker on a challan without paying tax, if they come back in time.