DMAIC Diagrams, Charts & Maps

Let’s break down the study guide for the diagrams, maps, charts, and other tools of visual display and data analysis for Lean Six Sigma certification, covering each phase of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process:

Define Phase:

Purpose of Visual Tools in Define Phase:

Understand the role of visual tools in clarifying project goals, understanding customer requirements, and defining project scope.

Common Visual Tools Used in Define Phase:

1. Stakeholder Maps
2. SIPOC Diagrams
3. Voice of Customer (VOC) Analysis
4. Process Flowcharts
5. Affinity Diagrams

1. Stakeholder Maps:
   • Identify key stakeholders involved in or affected by the project.
   • Visualize stakeholder relationships, interests, and levels of influence.
2. SIPOC Diagrams:
   • Define process boundaries and scope.
   • Identify Suppliers, Inputs, Processes, Outputs, and Customers to establish baseline process understanding.
3. Voice of Customer (VOC) Analysis:
   • Gather and analyze customer feedback to understand their needs, expectations, and priorities.
   • Use visual tools such as charts and diagrams to represent VOC data effectively.
4. Process Flowcharts:
   • Visualize the sequence of steps in the current process.
   • Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
5. Affinity Diagrams:
   • Organize and categorize ideas, issues, or observations related to the project.
   • Facilitate brainstorming sessions and identify common themes or patterns.
   • Identify key stakeholders involved in or affected by the project.
   • Visualize stakeholder relationships, interests, and levels of influence.

Measure Phase:

Purpose of Visual Tools in Measure Phase:

Visualize data to establish baseline measurements, assess process capability, and identify sources of variation.

Common Visual Tools Used in Measure Phase:

1. Histograms
2. Control Charts
3. Scatter Plots
4. Box-and-Whisker Plots
5. Pareto Charts
6. Process Flowcharts
7. Value Stream Maps

1. Histograms:
   • Visualize the distribution of data.
   • Identify patterns, central tendency, variability, and outliers.
2. Control Charts:
   • Monitor process stability and detect variations.
   • Differentiate between common cause and special cause variation.
3. Scatter Plots:
   • Visualize relationships between two variables.
   • Identify correlations, causations, or clusters in data.
4. Box-and-Whisker Plots:
   • Visualize distribution and variability of data.
   • Compare distributions and identify central tendency.
5. Pareto Charts:
   • Prioritize issues or factors based on frequency or impact.
   • Focus improvement efforts on significant contributors.
6. Process Flowcharts and Value Stream Maps:
   • Continue to use these tools to identify areas for improvement and streamline processes.

Analyze Phase:

Purpose of Visual Tools in Analyze Phase:

Visualize data to identify root causes of problems and opportunities for improvement.

Common Visual Tools Used in Analyze Phase:

1. Cause-and-Effect (Fishbone) Diagrams
2. Scatter Plots
3. Box-and-Whisker Plots
4. Pareto Charts
5. Histograms
6. Control Charts

1. Cause-and-Effect (Fishbone) Diagrams:
   • Identify potential causes of a problem or effect.
   • Facilitate root cause analysis and problem-solving discussions.
2. Continue Using Scatter Plots, Box-and-Whisker Plots, Pareto Charts, Histograms, and Control Charts:
   • Utilize these tools to further analyze data and identify patterns or trends.

Improve Phase:

Purpose of Visual Tools in Improve Phase:

Visualize potential solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.

Common Visual Tools Used in Improve Phase:

1. Decision Trees
2. Matrix Diagrams
3. Radar Charts
4. Process Flowcharts
5. Value Stream Maps

1. Decision Trees:
   • Model decision-making processes or classification problems.
   • Evaluate options and identify favorable courses of action.
2. Matrix Diagrams:
   • Visualize relationships between multiple sets of data or variables.
   • Analyze interdependencies, correlations, and interactions.
3. Radar Charts:
   • Compare multiple variables across different categories.
   • Visualize strengths and weaknesses across various dimensions.
4. Continue Using Process Flowcharts and Value Stream Maps:
   • Use these tools to design and implement process improvements.

Control Phase:

Purpose of Visual Tools in Control Phase:

Monitor process performance and sustain improvements over time.

Common Visual Tools Used in Control Phase:

1. Control Charts
2. Gantt Charts
3. Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagrams
4. Process Flowcharts
5. Value Stream Maps

1. Control Charts:
   • Continue using control charts to monitor process stability and detect variations.
   • Implement control measures to maintain process performance within acceptable limits.
2. Gantt Charts:
   • Visualize project schedules, timelines, and dependencies.
   • Monitor progress and allocate resources effectively.
3. Continue Using Ishikawa Diagrams, Process Flowcharts, and Value Stream Maps:
   • Utilize these tools to support ongoing process improvement efforts and address any emerging issues.

By mastering these visual tools and techniques across each phase of the DMAIC process, Lean Six Sigma practitioners can effectively analyze data, identify opportunities for improvement, implement solutions, and sustain process improvements over time.