DMAIC Versus DMADV

The Similarities of DMAIC and DMADV

- Six Sigma methodologies used to drive defects to less than 3.4 per million opportunities.

- Data intensive solution approaches. Intuition has no place in Six Sigma -- only cold, hard facts.

- Implemented by Green Belts, Black Belts and Master Black Belts.

- Ways to help meet the business/financial bottom-line numbers.

- Implemented with the support of a champion and process owner.


The Differences of DMAIC and DMADV

DMAIC
- Define : Define the project goals and customer (internal and external) deliverables
- Measure : Measure the process to determine current performance
- Analyze : Analyze and determine the root cause(s) of the defects
- Improve : Improve the process by eliminating defects
- Control : Control future process performance

When To Use DMAIC

The DMAIC methodology, instead of the DMADV methodology, should be used when a product or process is in existence at your company but is not meeting customer specification or is not performing adequately.

DMADV
- Define : Define the project goals and customer (internal and external) deliverables

- Measure : Measure and determine customer needs and specifications
- Analyze : Analyze the process options to meet the customer needs
- Design : Design (detailed) the process to meet the customer needs
- Verify : Verify the design performance and ability to meet customer needs

When To Use DMADV

The DMADV methodology, instead of the DMAIC methodology, should be used when:

- A product or process is not in existence at your company and one needs to be developed

- The existing product or process exists and has been optimized (using either DMAIC or not) and still doesn't meet the level of customer specification or six sigma level